Bassetlaw: Mann hails a victory for the people in coal row

Chancellor George Osborne announced during a visit to Thoresby Colliery in Edwinstowe that he would reverse the decision to cut the entitlement, which had originally seen ex-miners or their widows being given just two bags of coal for life.

Mr Mann has been a vocal campaigner in favour of the miners, along with other MP’s from the area, including Rother Valley’s Kevin Barron and Mansfield’s Sir Alan Meale, all three of whom spoke out against the removal of concessionary coal for ex-miners and their widows at a debate in Westminster Hall this month.

Mr Mann also joined local councillors and ex-miners at a protest outside UK Coal headquarters in Harworth last week and called on the Government to put pressure on UK Coal to reverse its decision.

“I am delighted that the Government and UK Coal bosses have finally been forced to do the decent thing,” said Mr Mann.

“They knew that our next step was to take legal action, and I am glad that the legal fees that would have been incurred have been avoided.”

“The concessionary fuel allowance is not a benefit, it is a contractual obligation to be paid to former miners and in some cases their widows.”

“My constituents now need the fuel as soon as possible so that they can heat their homes this winter.”

“This is a great victory and a further example of how a strong local campaign can force the Government to listen and do the right thing.”