Local MPs Marcus Jones and Dan Byles have welcomed the announcement by the Chancellor, George Osborne, that the government will guarantee the concessionary fuel allowance for around 400 mine workers who lost their jobs as a result of the recent restructuring of UK Coal.

Following the demise of UK Coal and the closure of Daw Mill Colliery, former Daw Mill workers, and Daw Mill pensioners who left the mining industry after 1994, were dealt a further blow at the loss of a concessionary coal allowance to heat their homes, which was a payment worth over £1000 a year.

The loss of the concessionary coal allowance had left many former Daw Mill workers facing fuel poverty. Recognising the devastating impact the closure of the colliery has had on the lives of many families across our area, the local MPs joined forces with a number of other Conservative MPs, who met with the Chancellor to lobby for the reinstatement of the concessionary coal allowance.

The Chancellor has confirmed that the government will guarantee the concessionary fuel allowance for around 400 mine workers and will also guarantee the allowance for around 1,000 retired workers previously employed by the company.

In total, around 1,500 former mine workers will be entitled to continue to receive their allowance in the form of cash or coal. They will be entitled to choose up to £1,300 of free coal, or up to £600 cash in lieu of coal per year – in line with the current beneficiaries of the scheme.

Commenting, the Chancellor, George Osborne said: "A number of local MPs brought to my attention that former mine workers were losing their concessionary fuel allowance, through no fault of their own when UK Coal went into administration.

“I wanted to help and because we are fixing the economy, we can. It is right and fair that we make sure they continue to receive their allowance and that is why we are bringing them into the government scheme.

“I want to acknowledge the excellent and effective campaign by Marcus and Dan, many of whose constituents were particularly hit by the loss of this allowance.”

Adding, Marcus said: “This is an issue of fairness and that is why we have fought so hard for today’s announcement to become a reality.

“The Chancellor took a keen interest in this issue and seemed to have a great deal of sympathy with our argument and I’m absolutely delighted for all those former miners who will benefit as a result of this decision.”

Dan Byles, the MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth, said: “We have been working very closely with the former Miners at Daw Mill and UK Coal for a long time now, I visited Daw Mill this week offering my support. We were concerned about the loss of the coal allowance following what happened to UK coal. However, we have acted to ensure that the mining families will not lose out on their fuel allowances. Marcus Jones and I have spoken with the Chancellor, George Osborne, and together we have been able to reach this successful outcome for our local mining families.”