Reader explains who really benefited from the British Coal pension boost - your letters, and a picture throwback of a tribute ride

How miners got new pay-out

The article “Ex mine workers in pension boost” requires an amendment plus additional information. The British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS), only relates to salaried staff, not weekly paid, who have their own schemes.

How this bonanza came about is entirely down to the trustees, appointed after a ballot of members who engaged expert investment teams to maximise income from members' contributions.

These were so successful that the returns exceeded, by far, the outgoings of the scheme, resulting in massive reserves to provide an additional safeguard –  a 1994 agreement with the government of the day in which the reserves would be handed over to it, guaranteed that if, at any time, the annual proceeds of the investments failed to cover the cost, the shortfall would be paid by the government.

Since the demise of British Coal about 25 years ago, there has been a considerable reduction in the number of payees, so the trustees decided that the government, as guarantor, was no longer needed.

The reserves should be distributed amongst the remaining beneficiaries in the form of the New Bonus Pension, amounting to 41 per cent of the guaranteed pension and backdated to November 2024. I am one of the lucky ones and we were only notified a few days before Christmas, so it was a real present. Even the Exchequer will get some benefits through income tax.

Trevor Matthews, Claverley

PM emerges from his slime

The theory of life evolving from primordial slime, was proposed by Ernst Haeckel.

We may have witnessed proof of this as Keir emerged from his socialist slime to actually show signs of life by challenging the omnipotent Don over Greenland.

To my mind, the Don's stance merely reinforces what I have believed in the decades following Suez; ie this so-called 'Special Relationship' is a load of rubbish.

Certainly there is a close relationship between our citizens particularly in shared culture, laws etc but as to political decisions? Forget it.

The relationship in fact is that if (as with Blair and Iraq) an American President presses 'we need the UK' button, our politicians jump to attention and obey.¶Perhaps the only policy that benefited UK under Harold Gannex Wilson's tenure was keeping us out of the US's adventure in Vietnam but apart from that we do as we are told.

Alan M Etheridge, Midlands

Let’s support a town of culture

There will be much cynicism about the new UK Town of Culture competition. But surely it is an opportunity. I suggest each region – the Black Country, Shropshire and Staffordshire – pick one town and puts is full weight behind he entry.

Surely there is every chance of success as our region has much to offer.

David Charles, Shifnal

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