MPs: 'Time is of the essence' for pit pensions deal

HOPES FOR SOLUTION AT FEBRUARY MEETINGS

- By OLIVER PRIDMORE

A FINAL plea has been made for the Government to deliver pensions justice at last to those who "powered our country" ahead of a crunch meeting in a few weeks.

Several of Nottinghamshire's Labour MPs have signed a letter to the Government urging quick action, saying: "With the increasing age and declining health of many beneficiaries, time is of the essence. For many retired mine workers and their families, further delay risks denying them the full benefit of decisions that are long overdue."

Huge progress has been made in recent years on the two pension schemes for former miners, with the most recent involving some getting extra payments just before Christmas.

But the "root cause" of the injustice remains unsolved and it is hoped the meetings scheduled with members of both major pension schemes will bring a solution.