It is believed that around 1,500 former miners are set to receive free coal supply for life to heat their homes under a new deal agree by George Osborne.

Chancellor Osborne visited Thoresby Colliery and announced the agreement for the miners, who lost their privilege when UK Coal collapsed earlier this year. The miners will get their coal delivery, or the cash equivalent guaranteed by the government.

UK Coal, Britain's biggest mining firm, was placed under administration and around 400 jobs were cut. Even as 2,000 jobs were saved, the pensions and retirement benefits of several former miners were plashed under the deal. National Concessionary Fuel Agreements guarantees that the former miners are entitled to a free bag of coal every four or five weeks or they can get a same amount in cash.

The miners usually receive more than four tonnes of coal or several hundred pounds for heating their homes. The benefit was finalised by the unions and British Coal in the 1980, but the government continued to fund the benefit when the British Coal Corporation was privatised in 1994. Mr Osborne has announced that the government will also guarantee the allowance for around 400 mine workers, who lost their jobs at the might company.