Coal allowances are to be reinstated for hundreds of ex-miners and their widows.

Chancellor George Osborne has announced the Government is to guarantee concessionary fuel allowance to ex-pit workers after many lost it when UK Coal collapsed.

Selby MP Nigel Adams said: “I am delighted that George Osborne has listened to my campaign and agreed to step into the gap left by UK Coal by restoring the fuel allowance to retired miners and their widows.”

About 400 miners who lost their jobs in the restructuring of UK Coal, as well as about 1,000 retired UK Coal miners, will now be entitled to either £1,300 worth of coal or £600 cash in lieu per year.

The vast majority of the beneficiaries are Yorkshire based, and several hundred are in the Selby area.

Mr Adams said: “This is great news, especially coming up to winter. It is an early Christmas present for the ex-miners and their families.”

Mr Osborne said: “A number of local MPs brought to my attention that former mine workers were losing their concessionary fuel allowance, through no fault of their own, when UK Coal went into administration.”