British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme

That this House is deeply concerned regarding the impact of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) scandal; notes that, in the Autumn Budget, the Government released equivalent funds from the Miners’ Pension Scheme (MPS), but this welcome move to improve former miners’ pensions was not extended to the BCSSS; highlights that the Government’s failure to release frozen funds is causing immense hardship for people who have paid into the system for decades but are now left without the vital support they need and deserve; further notes that the BCSSS Trustees have been campaigning for members of the BCSSS to be treated equally to members of the MPS; agrees with the Trustees in their view that the £2.3bn BCSSS investment reserve should be transferred to members as soon as possible; and calls on the Government to review how any future surplus in the BCSSS is shared between members and the Government.