2025

Aberpergym in South Wales was still producing anthracite coal in late 2025.

Several disused power station towers were successfully demolished by explosives during the year as the sites were cleared. It is ironic and possibly very short sighted that Britain was the first in the World in 1882 to produce electricity by burning coal and now the first to end it after 142 years, whereas some countries around the World continue to produce coal and export it to keep the coal burning system going. Britain is trying to reduce Global warming, but iit will not make the slightest difference. Coal is being used as boiler fuel for many steam powered railway engines throughout the country that are being run by groups of enthusiasts.

Following the payment to the MPS members, the Trustees of British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) similarly lobbied Parliament for their 40,000 members to share their £2.3 billion pounds kept in the Goverbment kitty to guarantee future pension payments. It was announced that there were two members aged 105 receiving a pension and the last youngest member was 49 years old. Personally I had paid 4% of my salary into the scheme from 1956, then 5% for family benefits when I married in 1958. The amount I received was based on 37 years contributory service.

The Labour Government Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in the 2025 Autumn budget that remaining members of BCSSS now decreasing to app 38;600 were to be similarly treated to MPS and members would receive 41% rise on their guaranteed pension on 23rd December 2025 and also a year’s back pay to November 2024, the date when members of MPS received theirs.