'Time running out over pit compensation claims'

Wentworth and Dearne MP John Healey has helped his constituents receive over £30,000 in returned solicitors charges in the last nine months alone.

Many of these payments were secured with the help of the Legal Complaints Service but that organisation will be wound up from July 31.

Mr Healey said it was not clear whether the Legal Ombudsman, which replaces the Legal Complaints Service, will pursue complaints relating to the Coal Health Compensation Scheme.

Mr Healey said: “I want everyone to get the money back they are entitled to. These legal fees should not have been taken.

“Don’t be put off if you don’t have all your paperwork—I’ll do everything I can to help you get this money back.

“But you may lose your chance if you don't get your claim in by July 31.”

Mr Healey’s long-running campaign has put pressure on solicitors to return fees that should not have been taken from payouts paid to sick miners, because legal costs were being met by the government.

The Coal Health Compensation Scheme was set up by the Labour government in 1998 to help ex-miners suffering from respiratory disease and vibration white finger.

In the Wentworth and Dearne constituency 10,000 people have received payments totalling more than £50 million.

Constituents who think deductions may have been taken from their compensation and would like some help can ring Mr Healey’s office on 01709 875943.