ASHBY MP Amanda Hack says the Chancellor's move to review miners' pension surplus and release the investment reserves to benefit over 1,500 local ex-miners 'rights another wrong'.

The MP for North West Leicestershire has welcomed the changes to the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme.

Over 100,000 former mineworkers across the country will receive £1.5 billion of money that was kept from their pensions.

Following the announcement in yesterday's budget (Wednesday), Energy Secretary Ed Miliband confirmed that the move will mean a 32 per cent boost to the annual pensions of 112,000 former mineworkers – an average increase of £29 per week for each member. 

Former mineworkers and their families have fought for justice for many years. In a landmark decision, the fund will now be handed over to the pension scheme.

Amanda Hack said: "Yesterday's budget delivers on the promise of change I offered to voters in North West Leicestershire in July. 

"One measure that will resonate in North West Leicestershire is the move to finally address the injustice faced by former Leicestershire miners since British Coal was privatised 30 years ago. 

"I spoke with Ed Miliband before the election, and he promised to review these arrangements if Labour won power. 

"Yesterday, we kept that promise. We will return the investment reserve fund to the trustees of the Mineworkers Pension Scheme. 

"This will be paid out as an additional pension to scheme members, boosting their income by over a third - an average increase of around £30 per week for each member. 

"This Labour Government will also review the existing surplus-sharing arrangements, as we committed to in our manifesto. 

"I became an MP to stand up against unfairness and injustice. The new government has moved quickly to finalise compensation payments to victims of the Post Office IT scandal and provide payments to those affected by the infected blood scandal. 

"The mineworkers' pension announcement rights another wrong. In a little over 100 days, the new government has acted to address a number of injustices spanning over five decades. 

"The budget signals that we now have a government that will tackle historical injustices that have ruined lives. The announcement on the Mineworkers Pension Scheme is a powerful example, and I am proud of the part I played in making it happen."