The NUM Officials had a very positive meeting with Chris McDonald MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Industry) on Wednesday 4 March 2026 to discuss the remaining issues with the MPS and BCSSS.
Now that the MPS and BCSSS Trustees position is aligned with the NUM the Minister is keen to make progress on resolving the future surplus sharing arrangements, government guarantee and remaining funds in the guarantors’ fund (MPS).
Whilst as with the previous decisions in 2024 (MPS) and 2025 (BCSSS) the announcement will need to wait for the Budget the Minister is keen to explore what could be done earlier as he is aware of the time pressures given the age and health of the members of the Mineworkers Pension Scheme (MPS) and British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS).
The NUM will work with the Minister to explore what can be done ahead of the Budget and with the Trustees to ensure that any preparation work that needs to be done ahead of any Budget announcement is done to ensure any changes are implemented ASAP to benefit Scheme Members.
