Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme

Debate between Gloria De Piero and Mary Creagh

Thursday 14th February 2019 Commons Chamber

[Gloria De Piero]

That is why it is clear that the 50:50 surplus sharing arrangement put in place when the Government became guarantor needs to be renegotiated.

[Mary Creagh (Wakefield) (Lab)]

I thank my hon. Friends the Members for Ashfield and for Barnsley East (Stephanie Peacock) for making such powerful speeches. Does my hon. Friend agree that, at a time when we have had 40,000 excess deaths, many of them old people—the highest level for 40 years in this country—and when we see pensioners’ income under attack from higher inflation and risks to their benefits, such as free TV licences, this is a wrong that must be righted by the Minister? These communities were devastated when their pits closed. These people lost income during their lifetime and are now being denied it in retirement.

[Gloria De Piero]

Absolutely, and the Government have made far more money than was ever forecast.