The strike began when the government reneged on previous declarations and announced the closure of the majority of pits due to unprofitability and inefficiency. The strike lasted for a year between 1984 and 1985. The strike was observed by approximately 70% of miners in North East Derbyshire. It caused massive social upheaval as traditionally close-knit communities became divided between those who worked and those who did not. Striking miners went unpaid and were not entitled to state welfare benefits, meaning that thousands of families relied on handouts and poverty became rife.