Former mineworkers and widows from across Nottinghamshire are set to lobby the prime minister following the “disappointing” Budget announcement on the decades-long pensions battle.

On Friday (November 6) campaigners will be lobbying Prime Minister Andy Burnham at Number 10 Downing Street and have also request a meeting with him to discuss the next steps after Chancellor John Healey failed to give a timeline surrounding the pension fund surplus and admitted there is still more to do.

Delivering the Autumn Budget Chancellor John Healey said: “For ex-mineworkers, I’m guaranteeing that every penny of the pension fund surplus now goes to miners. I know the job’s not finished and I will go on to ensure the full transfer of the guarantor’s fund.”

Pressure is now mounting after several Labour MPs signed a letter to Mr Healey, warning him that they “cannot see a justification for withholding the money that belongs to scheme members alone”.

Former mineworkers and widows at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool

placeholder image — Former mineworkers and widows at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool

They urged the Chancellor to “approve the release of the remaining £1.2 billion in the Guarantor’s Fund immediately and therefore prove to miners and their families that the Labour Government is on their side”.

MPs are due to hold their fourth and final day of the Budget debate on Tuesday.

Mick Newton who worked at Thoresby Colliery for 15 years and has been fighting for a fairer deal for the past decade said the announcement did not go far enough.

He added: “I'm pleased the Chancellor in his statement accepted our case in principle, but it was too vague in my view.

Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey holds up the traditional red ministerial box as he leaves 11 Downing Street, London, before delivering his first Budget to the Houses of Parliament. Picture date: Wednesday October 28, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Dylan Martinez/Press Association

“We've waited long enough, so the big question is when?”

Mr Newton said spirits were dampened following the Budget announcement in which it was expected details of the release of the Mineworkers Pension Government Guarantee Fund, standing at £1.2 Billion would be released.

He added: “Former Mineworkers and Widows are fueled with frustration and anger that this was not announced in Budget and leads to further delays, while thousands of former Mineworkers, around 500a month, sadly lose their lives while waiting for this historic injustice to be put right.”

There are around 150,000 living members of the two primary pension schemes covering ex-miners.

Campaigners have spent decades pushing to amend the 50/50 surplus-sharing agreement, ensuring members receive the full benefit of surpluses.

In 1994, when British Coal was privatised, it was agreed the Government would get half of any surplus from the pot in return for guaranteeing the value of the pensions would not decrease.

Successive Governments have made £4.8bn from the deal over the last 30 years.

When both the The Mineworkers' Pension Scheme (MPS) and The British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSS) schemes were set up, the government was keen that some money should be held in reserve to ensure there was enough cash to pay out to members.

However, far more reserve money was built up in both funds than ever needed and following years of campaigning government changes so far have led to more than £1 billion being transferred back to the MPS and more than £2 billion transferred back to the BCSSS.

The Budget announcement comes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in October last year that the entirety of the MPS investment reserve would be handed over to ex-coal miners and their families.

However members of the National Mineworkers Pension Campaign have been calling for the rest to be released as soon as possible.

Former Chancellor Rachel Reeves agreed in the last two Budgets to release part of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) cash.