At its peak in the 1920s the UK coal industry employed almost 1.2 million people

Employment in UK coal industry, millions

1.25

6 Mar 1984 National Coal Board announces intention to close 20 pits, resulting in year-long miners’ strike

1.00

0.75

8 Dec 2015

UK’s last deep coalmine is closed

0.50

1 Jan 1947 Nationalisation of UK coal mines

0.25

0

1925

1940

1955

1970

1985

2000

2015

Employment in UK coal industry, millions

1.25

1 Jan 1947 Nationalisation of UK coal mines

6 Mar 1984 National Coal Board announces intention to close 20 pits, resulting in year-long miners’ strike

8 Dec 2015

UK’s last deep coalmine is closed

1.00

0.75

0.50

0.25

0

1925

1940

1955

1970

1985

2000

2015

Guardian graphic. Source: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy; The National Archives