BLAENAU Gwent MP Nick Smith has called for the Government to ensure that families of former mineworkers who pass away as a result of Covid-19 are able to access the compensation they are due.
Families of ex-miners are only entitled to compensation if ‘industrial disease’ is recorded on a death certificate.
With miners who have existing respiratory problems being at such a high risk from coronavirus, Mr Smith’s concern is that if covid-19 is recorded as the only cause of death then families may be left without.
Putting a question to Health Secretary Matt Hancock on Monday (May 18) Mr Smith said: “Will the Secretary of State please ask his officials to work with the mineworkers union to ensure that industrial diseases as well as covid-19 are considered as causes of death, so that grieving families can access the support they need?”
Mr Hancock responded that he understands the impact “mining has on breathing and respiratory disease” and “the impact, in turn, of respiratory disease on the likelihood of having a bad response to coronavirus.”
He added that he would speak with Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy officials about this issue.
Mr Smith, who has also been at the forefront of the Labour campaign to give ex-miners a fairer share from their pension scheme, said: “I was pleased with the positive response I received and will be writing to Mr Hancock to ensure that he follows through on his promise.
“This issue needs clearing up swiftly so that not one grieving family are denied the compensation they deserve.”