The UK Coal Operating Aid Scheme was launched by the DTI in November 2000. Its aim was to allow those elements of the UK coal industry with a viable future without aid to overcome short-term market problems (in particular, low world coal prices and the lifting of the stricter gas consents policy) and to prevent a sudden and sharp decline in the size of the coal industry.
A total of £162,170,995.00 was awarded between 2000 and 2002 in four tranches broken down as follows:
Tranche 1—£87,339,268 awarded in 2000
Tranche 2—£62,357,501 awarded in 2001
Tranche 3—£9,739,026 and
Tranche 4—£2,735,200 were awarded in 2002