Response to Press Speculation

UK Coal PLC
06 April 2005


                                  UK Coal Plc

                         Response to press speculation


The Board of UK Coal Plc (the 'Company') has noted today's press speculation and
the recent rise in the Company's share price. Some weeks ago the Board received
a highly preliminary and tentative approach regarding a possible offer for the
Company; this approach was subject to a number of conditions and
pre-conditions. The Company asked the relevant party for clarification in
relation to a number of aspects of the approach; no such clarification has been
received to date and, indeed, there has been no substantive response to the
Company's request for clarification. The Company has received no approach from
any other third party.


Accordingly, shareholders should note that there can be no certainty that any
offer for the Company will be forthcoming.


A further announcement will be made in due course.


Enquires:


Gavin Anderson                                020 7554 1400
Fergus Wylie
Michael Turner


Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein                020 7623 8000
Christian Littlewood
Andrew Hollins


Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein Limited ('DrKW'), which is authorised and
regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting
for UK Coal Plc ('UK Coal') and no one else in connection with this matter and
will not be responsible to anyone else other than UK Coal for providing the
protections afforded to customers of DrKW or for giving advice in relation to
this matter or in relation to the contents of this announcement.








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