A HIGH Court ruling has paved the way for faster compensation payouts to thousands of sick ex-miners across Gwent.

The scheme has been welcomed across the board, although there are now calls for top-up payments to be made to claimants who accepted compensation in the previous, less generous, fast-track schemes.

Yesterday High Court judge Sir Michael Turner made the ruling that will see up to 160,000 ex-miners offered fast-track payments where initial medical tests show very low levels of lung disease.

Their compensation will be paid quickly, freeing up specialist medical consultants to concentrate on assessing former miners with higher levels of disability.

The fast-track payments will be based on the results of ex-miners' spirometry lung function tests. They will be split into four bands:

Normal lung function with no evidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Limited evidence of lung disease but with the possibility of other causes. Unable to complete the medical test for reasons that are unavoidable. Tests likely to be affected by asthma.

Ex-miners will still retain the right to reject an offer made under the fast-track scheme and undergo a full medical assessment.

Coal Health Minister Nigel Griffiths said: "I welcome the judge's ruling. I believe this change to the scheme is essential in order to deliver compensation to miners."

Islwyn MP Don Touhig said: "I welcome any step that helps speed up the process. Miners and their widows have waited too long, and we are determined to continue making every effort to get justice for them."

Solicitors representing the miners and the government will now meet in the High Court on November 16 to resolve any legal arguments surrounding the scheme.

Bleddyn Hancock, general secretary of NACODS, wants top-up payments for ex-miners who accepted compensation under previous fast-track schemes. "There are people who would have been better off had they waited. The issue of top-up payments needs to be addressed, otherwise we are sending out a message that you are better off waiting because there might be something better."

Mr Hancock criticised proposals that claims from widows who have no medical history for their husband cannot be assessed and are ineligible. This would change the current system where widows under these circumstances receive a discounted payment.