Oral QuestionDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

When he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to increase the length of prison sentences for animal cruelty.

Tabled: 15 October 2018Answered: 18 October 2018

Asked by

Dame Diana Johnson

LabourKingston upon Hull North and Cottingham

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Answer from Hansard

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Chris McDonald)

In the autumn Budget, the Chancellor announced the transfer of the £2.3 billion reserve to members of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme. Almost 40,000 former mineworkers and colliery staff received their first bonus increase before Christmas, with an average uplift of £100 a week, or a one-off £5,500 lump sum for backdated pensions. That is the difference that this Labour Government are making for coalfield communities.