Following the re-tender of the Coal Health Claims Handling Contract; the contract has been awarded to Capita, the current holder.

The contract is worth £118 million over three years, with provision for extension, and is intended to complete work on virtually all VWF claims by end-2007, and COPD claims by 2009. As part of their bid, Capita have made a number of innovative proposals designed to build on the efficiency measures introduced during the past two years.

It is, of course, imperative that claimants receive their due compensation as soon as possible and, coupled with the fast track procedures now in place, I am confident that this contract will contribute significantly to the early completion of the £7 billion coal health schemes.