MINERS' leaders have stepped up their attacks on controversial plans to cap compensation payments.

In move that could save the Government £2bn, up to 200,000 ex-miners and their families could lose out on potential six-figure pay-outs.

The new scheme would deny a full medical assessment to miners who pass basic lung-function tests. They would be paid a flat rate of about £500.

Under the existing scheme, ex-miners who have had medical assessments have been paid an average of £10,000 in compensation for lung disease.

If the Department of Trade and Industry's plan is approved, the restrictions will also apply to the families of ex-miners where the claimant has died and no medical records are available.

Compensation to respiratory disease claimants total £1.2bn, but with 380,000 claimants awaiting assessment, the process could continue until 2011.

In a bid to speed up and simplify the process, the DTI has applied to Mr Justice Turner in the High Court for permission to introduce new assessment procedures. A ruling is expected later this month.

But Steve Kemp, national secretary of the National Union of Miners, said: "We will proceed with claims on behalf of our members with the utmost vigour. If there are deals which will take their rights away we will take them to the highest courts in the land."