LOCAL MP David Mundell has called for urgent action by the UK Government to distribute surplus pension funds due to former mineworkers.

He says a number of coal industry retirees in his constituency are amongst those unjustly deprived of their full entitlement.

They are members of the long-closed British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS), which is said to have a £2.3 billion investment reserve potentially available for distribution to members or immediate family with entitlement.

READ MORE: MP Elaine Stewart calls for update to BCSSS pension claims

Last year, almost 700 mine workers received the first pension payment increase, following the injustice of the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme.

However, the BCSSS is a separate pension scheme serving the former nationalised industry.

Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State, said earlier this year that apparent discrepancies in the BCSSS would also be looked at.

Speaking about the issues, Mr Mundell said: “For whatever reason, the Government committed to swiftly distribute the MPS surplus but overlooked the equally deserving BCSSS members.

"In contrast the BCSSS, which includes many miners who moved to more supervisory roles later in their career together with support staff, has been left waiting far too long for a decision from the treasury.

“The delays are very unfair on the members and it is particularly sad for those who reach the end of their life before they have been able to access this element of a pension they may have contributed towards for many years.”

Mr Mundell plans to further lobby Treasury Ministers urging them to swiftly facilitate the release and appropriate backdating of any funds due to members or entitled next of kin.

Speaking about the issue in the House of Commons, Ms Jones said: “The government actuarial team are currently working their way through the mineworkers pension process.

“We are now working with officials, I’m meeting later to talk about this more to see what we need to do.

“I have to stress that it’s very complex. We’re talking about billions of pounds worth of assets.

“But we are absolutely receptive to calls from the trustees and I will be meeting with them again soon.”