SNP Work and Pensions spokesperson, John Mason MP, has rounded on the UK Government after it emerged Labour Ministers have spent up to £5m in legal fees fighting the claims of sick miners – a figure which is likely to double by the time cases reach court.

As many as 1,000 former miners suffering from coal miners knee, Osteoarthritis, and chronic lung disease from dust inhalation were not included in previous compensation schemes and are being forced to take their battle to the courts.

Mr Mason said: "I don't think our former mining communities thought they would see the day when a Labour government would rather pay lawyers to block claims, than pay compensation to miners left with industrial injuries.

"The last thing we need is a long drawn-out legal process, similar to the chest disease cases. It would be far better for the UK Government to treat these miners fairly and honourably by paying what they're owed, instead of wasting tax-payers’ money on years of expensive litigation.

"Action is needed now, or some of these miners who are suffering will have died by the end of such a process.

"Thousands of miners have been affected by this, and the UK Government should take heed of the recommendations made by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council and allow these miners to claim benefit from the Industrial Injuries Disablement Scheme."

Note:

Further information can be found here.