Scotland’s former mining communities need more support to address issues such as poor health and high unemployment following COVID-19, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust has said.

Sunday, November 29, marked National Coalfields Day, which is of added significance this year in Scotland as it comes just a month after the Scottish Government announced a collective pardon for miners convicted in the mid-1980s strike.

Next month, CRT will publish a ‘Building Resilient Communities’ booklet which will provide examples of how people have rallied together in difficult times.

But they warn that underlying problems, such as those highlighted in a recent report showing education, employment, income and health to have worsened since similar analysis in 2013, have been exacerbated by the virus.

Nicky Wilson, CRT Chair in Scotland, said: “We have done what we can to support our communities and the amount of initiatives they have rolled out, from providing company to people shielding to ensuring nobody goes hungry, has been impressive. But underlying issues in areas such as health and education have been exacerbated by COVID-19 so more help is needed.”