Miners Pensions were topped up. Waspi Women Zilch!

[Mabelmable]

Does anyone know the full story about why the Government gave a £billion or two to the old coal miners and is likely to send them more.
Is it because they are "the Salt of the Earth" and their wives and female relatives are not.

The miners are getting their own money out of their own occupational scheme pension scheme - not money from the taxpayer/government. Totally different.

There is no comparison between the two things.

The Mineworkers Pension Scheme is paying for the miners' increases.

The Government, perfectly justifiably IMO, is refusing to top up the so-called "WASPI" claimants. The changes were announced in advance. That they did not pick up on what was coming is no grounds for compensation.

In any event 67 is still too low and age for the State pension to start. A more realistic age would be 70 or even 72.

Is it because they are "the Salt of the Earth" and their wives and female relatives are not.

Yes, that's it. That's definitely the official reason.

If you don't know, it isn't that hard to find out before making disparaging comments about people who worked bloody hard in dangerous environments. How very ignorant. It is because the government stole £ billions in pension funds from them in a dirty deal that would have been illegal if anyone in the finance industry had pulled a stunt like it.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2e7gl9glkgo

Accuracy of the Original Claim

1. Mineworkers' Pension Scheme (MPS) Topping-Up
2. The government committed to transferring £1.5 billion to the MPS in 2024, ending a controversial surplus-sharing arrangement that allocated 50% of fund surpluses to the Treasury. This decision rectified a long-standing grievance, ensuring that all future surpluses benefit the pensioners.
3. This support stems from the specific terms negotiated during the privatization of British Coal in 1994. The arrangement was contractual, making the government’s decision more about honoring commitments than discretionary generosity.
4. WASPI Women Receiving "Zilch"
5. The WASPI campaign stems from grievances over inadequate communication regarding changes to the state pension age. Many women born in the 1950s were left unprepared for delayed retirement.
6. The government’s refusal to provide compensation was based on claims that the pension age changes were fair, lawful, and necessary for fiscal sustainability. However, the lack of communication about these changes is widely acknowledged as maladministration.

While both issues relate to pensions, the differences in their nature, scope, and legal framework explain the contrasting outcomes. Key Differences Explaining the Divergence 1. Historical and Legal Context

• MPS: The government had a direct, contractual obligation tied to the privatization of British Coal. The surplus-sharing mechanism, which many deemed unfair, was a specific grievance tied to legal commitments. Rectifying this issue was framed as fulfilling an explicit agreement.
• WASPI: The changes to the state pension age were legislative, affecting a broader demographic and tied to long-term fiscal policy. While maladministration in communication is acknowledged, there is no equivalent contractual obligation to compensate those affected.

2. Economic Implications

• MPS: The financial cost of resolving the MPS issue was capped at £1.5 billion, a manageable sum compared to broader pension reform costs. Additionally, the decision ensured future surpluses would remain with pensioners rather than requiring ongoing Treasury subsidies.
• WASPI: Compensating the WASPI cohort is estimated to cost between £8 billion and £10 billion, a far larger fiscal commitment. This makes it significantly less viable in the context of government budget constraints.

3. Political Calculations

• MPS: Coal miners represent a concentrated, historically significant demographic in regions with strong ties to the Labour Party. Addressing their grievances may have been politically advantageous for the government, particularly in areas targeted during recent election cycles.
• WASPI: The WASPI cohort, while significant in number, is geographically and politically dispersed, reducing their collective political leverage. The cost of addressing their claims may outweigh perceived political benefits, especially given broader budgetary pressures.

4. Moral and Emotional Framing

• MPS: Coal mining is often romanticized as a hazardous, noble profession, earning miners a degree of societal sympathy. The decision to support their pensions is framed as recognizing their contributions to national development.
• WASPI: While the WASPI women’s plight is acknowledged, the issue is often framed as a consequence of broader systemic reforms rather than specific injustice. The emotional appeal is therefore weaker in political discourse.

5. Public Perception and Media Advocacy

• The MPS issue benefited from clear, quantifiable grievances tied to specific legal arrangements. In contrast, the WASPI campaign, while widely supported, is perceived as part of a broader, more complex challenge of pension reform, making it harder to garner focused advocacy.

Conclusion The contrasting outcomes reflect a combination of historical obligations, economic viability, and political considerations. While the government’s decision to support the MPS aligns with addressing a contractual grievance, its refusal to compensate the WASPI women underscores a prioritization of fiscal constraints over perceived moral obligations. This disparity highlights the challenges of balancing historical justice with systemic reform, leaving room for criticism of inequity in governmental decision-making processes.

The government's recent decisions regarding the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme (MPS) and the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign have been extensively covered in reputable news outlets. Below is a curated list of sources providing detailed insights into these developments:
Mineworkers' Pension Scheme (MPS):
Government Ends Miners' Pension Injustice: The UK government announced the transfer of £1.5 billion to the MPS, ensuring that over 100,000 former mineworkers receive fair payouts.
GOV.UK

Former Miners Celebrate 'Hard-Fought' Win in Pension Scandal: Coverage of the reactions from former miners following the government's decision to end the controversial surplus-sharing arrangement.
The Guardian

Over 100,000 Former Mineworkers Receive First Pension Increase: Details on the implementation of the pension increase following the government's financial intervention.
GOV.UK

WASPI Campaign:
Anger Greets UK Government Decision Not to Compensate 'Waspi Women': An article discussing the government's refusal to compensate women affected by the rising state pension age and the ensuing backlash.
The Guardian

Waspi Women Refused Payouts - But What Other Compensation Bills...: An analysis of the government's decision and its implications for other compensation claims.
BBC

Waspi Women Denied Compensation After State Pension Age Changes: A report on the government's confirmation that no compensation will be provided to the affected women.
theweek

These sources offer comprehensive coverage of the contrasting outcomes for the MPS beneficiaries and the WASPI campaigners, providing context and analysis of the government's decisions.