A FINANCIAL boost has been announced for ex-miners, who are set to get a 'coal or cash' offer.
Chancellor George Osborne said the government would guarantee 400 pit workers recently made redundant a free delivery of coal every year worth £1,300 or £600 in cash.
A further 1,000 retired workers will also get help.
About 69,000 former mine workers currently receive a fuel allowance from the government each year under the terms of the National Concessionary Fuel Scheme.
Mr Osborne said it was important to support a group of people who through no fault of their own had lost out and demonstrated the government's wish to support workers in all industries across the country.
