A Plaid Cymru Senedd Member has called on the Labour Westminster Government to right an old injustice that has robbed former steelworkers of their pensions.

Peredur Owen Griffiths made the call during a Plaid Cymru debate that covered the various injustices on pension schemes perpetrated by various Westminster governments of both Tory and Labour control.

The South Wales East MS raised the long-standing case of ex-workers of Allied Steel and Wire who have been deprived of the millions they collectively saved for retirement after the firm went bust in 2002.

During his speech, Peredur quoted from an account given by John Benson who is one of the leading campaigners for pensions justice among former ASW workers.

Peredur said: “I'd like to start by acknowledging the hard work and tireless campaigning by the ex-workers of Allied Steel and Wire, a number of whom are in the gallery today.

“They've fought continuously for justice, and not just for themselves but their peers. Plaid Cymru stands with you and supports you.

“This motion today is not just figures on a spreadsheet, it's about broken promises and stolen livelihoods, a moral failure by successive UK Governments and silence from Welsh Government to use their partnership in power to correct the injustice.

“Allied Steel and Wire workers paid in, they were promised their pensions. Their pensions are not bonuses, they are deferred salary—contributions made by employees over a number of years in return for the expectation of retirement security.

“And now they are being punished, year after year, by a slow erosion of their pensions because they are not linked to inflation. This is theft in slow motion.”

He added: “As we've heard, the tireless campaigner John Benson is in the gallery, and he's kindly shared his story with me, and I'd like to share some parts of it with you today, in his own words.

“He said 'It put me on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and at one point I thought I could go over the edge. After all those years working in heavy industry, noise from electric arc furnaces, dust, fumes, unsociable hours, I had nothing to look forward to.

“‘I should have retired at 65, but had to work till I was 67, as 41 years in heavy industry was taking its toll on my body…at one point, I thought I would lose my marriage fighting this campaign, as it took over my life.

“‘How could politicians who we put our trust in treat workers with so much unfairness and contempt? Luckily, my wife stuck by me, and I'm sure there are more worrying cases than mine.’”

Peredur concluded his contribution by saying it was not enough for the Labour Government in Wales “raise concerns,” adding: “The Welsh Government needs to demand action.

“If they can find their voice in the Government amendments to our motion to praise the UK Government on pension reform, then they can find their spine to stand up for ASW workers and others in Wales.

“Whether it's 1950s women, ASW steelworkers, or British Coal staff, these are people who played by the rules.

“They were let down not just by policy but by politicians who promised to protect them. We in Plaid Cymru will not let that silence continue.”

Earlier in the debate, Peredur’s colleague Delyth Jewell paid an emotional tribute to former Plaid Cymru Senedd Member Steffan Lewis who died of cancer after campaigning for pensions justice for former British Coal workers.

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