Jon Trickett welcomes Government support for local ex-miners
Local MP Jon Trickett has welcomed the announcement made by Secretary of State, James Purnell today that ex-miners who suffer from osteoarthritis will now qualify for Industrial Injuries Benefit.
The painful condition, more commonly known as miners’ knee, has now been added to the list of prescribed illnesses, which means that sufferers can now qualify for State compensation, through the Disablement benefit. Representatives of the Department for Work and Pensions made the announcement at the
Jon Trickett said:
Literally thousands of people will be affected by this decision all over the country, but its impact will be particularly noticed here, in the former mining areas I represent. With the area having such a strong mining community, it is not unusual to see significant numbers of older men struggling with damage to their knees.
Local mining MPs have been working hard both publicly and behind the scenes to get this change in the system and I am glad to see that our patience has finally been rewarded.
Local resident and former NUM branch president, John Pickin said:
I am delighted this has finally come after decades of campaigning. There are plenty of young men who have undergone operations because of working on their knees and for them, this is a real victory.