Over 100,000 former mineworkers across the UK - including those in North West Leicestershire - have today (Friday) received a boost to their pension.

People are now seeing an average £29 extra to their weekly payment.  

The payment follows the Government's reversal of an historic injustice, leading to £1.5billion being transferred to their pension scheme last month.  

Former mineworkers will receive the cash in their pockets today, ensuring former pit workers who powered the country for decades can now get the just rewards from their labour. 

The uplift represents an average 32 per cent rise to the annual pensions of nearly 112,000 former mineworkers and their dependents across the UK – an average increase of £29 per week for each member.  

The Trustees of the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme, said: "This month marks a historic milestone for the members of our Scheme with the first instalment of pension resulting from the recent Investment Reserve transfer being paid.  

"As Trustees, we're delighted that we've been able to get this extra money into our members' pockets so quickly.  

"This has been made possible due to the swift action of the Government in making good on its manifesto commitment but also as a result of the hard work of the team that supports the Scheme.   

"We would also like to thank again the many members and MPs who have shown support of the Scheme on this matter over the years. We are now looking forward to discussing our Scheme's surplus-sharing arrangements with the Government in the coming months and sharing the outcome with our members as soon as we can."  

Secretary of State for Energy Ed Miliband said: "This Government has kept our promise to return money rightfully owned to the ex-miners and their families- and today thousands of people will receive the money they deserve in their pension as a result.

 "Today marks an end to a decades-long injustice that has denied thousands across the country the decent pension that they so undeniably deserve.

 "We have delivered on our promise to right this wrong and I hope members and their families are able to enjoy the victory that they have waited far too long for." 

 The Energy Secretary and Minister for Industry Sarah Jones met members and trustees of the scheme in October at the National Union of Mineworkers' headquarters in Barnsley, after the government delivered on a longstanding campaign ask from ex-pit workers to transfer the investment reserve of the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme back to members.