SICK ex-miners will continue to receive compensation of as little as £13 following a shock announcement by the Department of Trade and Industry.

The Coalfields Communities Campaign condemned the news that the Government "will not fund a minimum payment".

The campaign, which represents 80 local authorities, said it 'flies in the face of common sense' because the DTI has agreed a floor on compensation for fast-tracked claims.

Up to 100,000 former miners were promised fast-track payments of up to £12,900 for breathing injuries, under a scheme that started on Monday.

However, only former miners with less severe injuries will have their cases fast-tracked - leaving the most crippled at risk of measly payouts.

One ex-miner from County Durham, who worked underground for 13 years, was offered only £13.36 because he had smoked for 24 years.

In evidence to the Commons trade and industry committee, the campaign said: "An ex-miner with lung damage should be entitled to a fair payment, no matter what other contributory factors are taken into account."

But industry minister Nigel Griffiths told the committee on Tuesday that a set minimum would open the floodgates for other litigants to demand higher payouts from the Government.

Last week, solicitors for crippled pitmen told the committee compensation delays left miners believing the Government was 'waiting for them to die'. But scheme adminstrators Capita said 120,000 offers would be made this year, including fast-track settlements - up on 70,000 last year.