The Redundant Mineworkers and Concessionary Coal (Payments Schemes) Order 1973

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Order establishes under the Coal Industry Act 1967 as amended, a new scheme for the payment of benefits to mineworkers made redundant between 10th December 1972 and 28th March 1976 and the reimbursement of the Board for the cost of providing concessionary coal to redundant men, and makes some amendments to the former Schemes. The Scheme prescribes the classes of persons eligible and the conditions they must fulfil in order to qualify for benefit.

Article 6(1) and certain provisions of the Scheme have retrospective effect by virtue of the Coal Industry Act 1967 section 3(1) as amended by the Coal Industry Act 1971 section 2(1) and the Coal Industry Act 1973 section 4(a).

This Scheme retains the benefits of the earlier schemes, and adds three new types of benefits: lump sums based on length of service for men redundant between age 35 and 55, and for men over 55 who due to lack of service in the industry do not qualify for basic benefit; a new benefit equivalent to the current rate of unemployment benefit to be paid to men when they have exhausted their 156 weeks of basic benefit until they reach age 65; and concessionary coal benefits for men made redundant between age 55 and 60, and certain men redundant over age 60. (Most men redundant over age 60 already receive concessionary coal under existing arrangements.) The amount of benefit which a beneficiary may retain if he obtains other employment has also been increased.

This Order comes into operation on 3rd August 1973.