The Redundant Mineworkers and Concessionary Coal (Payments Schemes) Order 1978

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Order establishes under the Coal Industry Act 1977 schemes for the payment of benefits to mineworkers and other coal industry employees made redundant between 25th March 1978 and 29th March 1981, and for the re-imbursement of the National Coal Board for the cost of providing concessionary coal to redundant men.

The schemes prescribe the classes of persons eligible and the conditions they must fulfil in order to qualify for benefit.

The schemes retain the pattern of benefits of earlier schemes. Men made redundant between age 55 and 65 receive a weekly sum equal to 95% of their net earnings in the previous tax year, taking account of other State benefits, for three years or until they reach age 65; if they are still under 65 at the end of three years, they receive a weekly sum equal to the current rate of unemployment benefit (plus their mineworker's pension) until they reach age 65. Men made redundant between age 35 and 55 receive a lump sum which varies with their length of service. Men made redundant at age 55 or over receive concessionary coal under the Board's existing arrangements. The full cost of this is re-imbursed to the Board until the man reaches age 60, and thereafter half the cost. For men made redundant over age 60 half the cost is re-imbursed. The principal changes from earlier schemes are the provision of a new table of basic weekly benefits adjusted to take account of changes in the level of unemployment benefit, the increase in the minimum benefit payable from £5.23 to £6.16 and the increase of rent allowance under Article 5 from £1 to £1.50.

The Order comes into operation on 25th March 1978.