Legacy of ‘inequality and deprivation’ in former coal mining communities

A new report calls for an end to austerity, and sustainable long-term economic and social policies for coalfield areas

Barnsley colliery

The report focuses on a number former coal mining communities across the UK (Image: Getty)

The Labour Government’s current welfare cuts follow years of austerity by the previous Conservative Governments and will only serve to exacerbate inequalities and destitution.

David Etherington, Professor of Local and Regional Economic Development

Researchers from University of Staffordshire, University of Cambridge and University of Leeds have examined the long-term impact of the loss of the coal industry in former coal-producing areas of the UK.

The report focuses on a number of coalfield areas; Fife and South Lanarkshire (Scotland) Barnsley and Stoke on Trent (England) and Neath/Port Talbot and Merthyr Tydfil (Wales).

Based in some of the most deprived regions of the UK, the researchers claim that successive Governments have failed these communities and are calling for a new type of sustained and long-term industrial policy.

The large-scale pit closures by the Thatcher Government in 1984 onwards, along with the ‘attack on trade unions and the welfare state’, leave a 40-year legacy of extensive inequality and deprivation, according to the report.

The authors argue that the current Labour Government’s commitment to austerity and welfare cuts will only exacerbate and reinforce these entrenched inequalities.

David Etherington, Professor of Local and Regional Economic Development, University of Staffordshire, said: “The Labour Government’s current welfare cuts follow years of austerity by the previous Conservative Governments and will only serve to exacerbate inequalities and destitution. Austerity is a political choice, and the current Government has the power to tax the wealthy, raise public spending and address widespread poverty.”

Overall, public expenditure cuts since 1984 have disproportionately impacted on coalfield and deindustrialised areas of the UK. However, since 2010, austerity has been stepped up with welfare reforms and benefit cuts amounting to £32.6 billion over the period (2010-2021). Coalfield Local Authorities have a combined funding gap in 2025/26 of £447 million.

The report highlights how the impact of this is causing harm to individuals and families in these regions. Residents experience lower than average life expectancy, widespread poor health, insufficient benefits to ‘make ends meet’, and a lack of sustainable jobs.

The findings also show that women are disproportionately affected. The cuts have directly reduced basic services that women rely upon such as social care for adults, childcare, youth centres, women’s refuges and emergency housing, free legal advice, free cultural events, parks, libraries and public transport.

“We have found that women have been badly affected by public services cuts and consider that any new economic plan should have a gender and equality perspective in terms of employment and training,” explained Lisa Buckner, Professor of Social Statistics, University of Leeds.

The report calls for a ‘just transition’; an end to austerity, growth policies based on revitalised public services and an economic plan that involves communities, workers and trade unions.

Mia Gray, Professor of Geography, University of Cambridge, added: “We argue for a new type of policy based upon participatory decision making involving trade unions, communities and local authorities. Investment in public services, securing employment rights and quality jobs is needed to address poverty and promote social inclusion.”

Read the full report Still Digging Deeper: The Impact of Austerity on Inequalities and Deprivation in the Coalfield Areas.

 

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