COMPENSATION payments to ex-miners whose health suffered because of working down pits has topped £1.5bn, the Government has said.
The figure has been paid to more than 140,000 former miners or their families, including scores in the North-East and North Yorkshire.
Energy minister Brian Wilson said the Government had made solid progress on its commitment to process claims as quickly as possible.
About 1,200 claims are being assessed every week on behalf of former pitmen suffering from lung diseases or the debilitating condition Vibration White Finger.
Mr Wilson said a high price had been paid by many miners and their families because of their work.
"Although these are among the biggest schemes of their kind anywhere in the world, it is also about honouring the lives of people who gave a life-long commitment to their industry," he said.
The compensation scheme for lung diseases has paid out £731,000, while £769,000 has been paid out for vibration-related health problems.
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