The future of thousands of jobs in the Selby coalfield could be decided next week when the Government is expected to announce the results of its Energy Review.

Political commentators believe Paymaster General Geoffrey Robinson has brokered a deal with electricity generators and the coal industry which will guarantee minimum orders.

According to sources at Westminster, consumption of deep-mine coal in England and Wales will be reduced from 30 million to 25 million tonnes a year, falling to 20 million over the next five years.

One of the negotiating partners is RJB Mining, operator of the Selby coalfield, which employs 3,500 workers.

Today, union leaders at the five pits were waiting for confirmation of the deal.

The other partners to the agreement are the three power generating companies, National Power, Powergen and Eastern.

Downing Street is refusing to say when the Energy Review report will be published.

It is understood the review has been delayed by wrangles over whether to allow planning consent for gas-fired generators.

The Government imposed a moratorium on planning consent for the new generating plants, set out in section 36 of the Electricity Act.

It is understood that the Government was going to renew the ban but is reconsidering this after representations from gas generators over job losses.

The report is also expected to recommend a review of electricity pricing mechanisms, viewed as operating against the interests of coal.

Selby MP John Grogan said: "For a year the future of the Selby coalfield has been uncertain and the Energy Review is the culmination of six months' work.

"I am looking forward to the Government announcement."

Derek Griffiths, Stillingfleet mine branch secretary of Nacods, the pit deputies' union, said: "There is 10 years-plus left in the Selby coal field and there are a lot of young men left in this industry. What we are hoping for is to secure a future for those people."

NUM branch secretary Steve Kemp added: "We are hoping for a favourable response for Britain's coal mining industry. But until we have scrutinised the report we cannot comment further."

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