Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order makes the following amendments to the Redundant Mineworkers and Concessionary Coal Payments Schemes scheduled to the Redundant Mineworkers and Concessionary Coal (Payments Schemes) Orders 1978, 1983, 1984 and 1986 —

(i)

provision is made for the payment to persons eligible for weekly payments under the Schemes who are not entitled to sickness benefit or invalidity benefit for certain specified reasons of a weekly sum which is equal to the total of the social security benefits lost;

(ii)

the prohibitions on the making of weekly payments are simplified, in particular the requirement for persons to satisfy the conditions for receipt of unemployment or certain other social security benefits is removed;

(iii)

provision is made for a lump sum payment to cover any weekly benefits lost during the period from 3rd January 1988 to the coming into force of the Order on account of a failure to qualify for unemployment benefit;

(iv)

provision is made for the payment to persons eligible for weekly payments under the Schemes of the cost of voluntary (Class 3) national insurance contributions which are required to maintain the recipient’s entitlement to basic state retirement pension.