Coal Mining Jobs in Britain Fall by Half Compared to Last Year

The number of people working in coal mining in Britain has dropped by half compared to this time last year the latest statistics show.

According to employment numbers compiled by the Coal Authority and seen by DeSmog UK, 732 people worked in coal mining jobs in June 2017. This is compared to 1,381 employed in June 2016.

In an effort to tackle climate change the UK has pledged to phase out all unabated coal (coal without carbon capture and storage technology) by 2025. In 2016 emissions from coal dropped by 50 percent compared to the previous year and coal use continues to reach record lows. In April, Britain had its first ever coal-free day since the Industrial Revolution.