Crossword Genius

Collieries about to terminate regular pay (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stipend

'regular pay' is the definition.
(a stipend is a regular payment)

'collieries about to terminate' is the wordplay.
'collieries' becomes 'pits' ('pit' can be a synonym of 'colliery').
'about' says the letters should be written backwards.
'to terminate' becomes 'end' ('end' can be a synonym of 'terminate').
'pits' back-to-front is 'stip'.
'stip'+'end'='STIPEND'

(Other definitions for stipend that I've seen before include "Soldier's pay" , "Periodical allowance" , "Payment for cleric" , "Clerical salary" , "Minister's salary" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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