Tom Greatrex MP, Labour’s Shadow Energy Minister, commenting on the Government’s announcement to facilitate the closure of collieries at Kellingley and Thoresby, said:

“As two of the UK’s last three deep coal pits, the loss of Kellingley and Thoresby will have a significant detrimental impact on the communities and local economies. There are 1300 direct jobs which will be lost with closure, and hundreds of other indirect jobs in the affected areas also likely to go.

“The Government’s decision to avert immediate closure means that there is now a final, short and pressing time to secure the private investment needed for these pits to continue to operate beyond 2015. If that support cannot be secured by the end of May, the Government’s £10m commercial loan will lead to the managed closure of these pits with many of the jobs likely to be gone this year before the closedown is completed next year. 

“Even at this late stage, the Government should be doing everything in their power now – before the closure effectively begins at the end of May - to seek, and work with, potential alternative operators to secure an economically viable future for both pits and their loyal and dedicated workforces.“