The Member of Parliament for Caerphilly, Chris Evans, has pledged to write to the UK Government seeking a meeting and urgent action over the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme investment fund.
The pledge was made by Mr. Evans at a meeting of members of the scheme held today at Cascade Community Centre in Penpedairheol. The meeting was attended by more than 70 scheme members from Caerphilly and other nearby areas, Delyth Jewell MS, and was organised by the scheme’s trustees.
Members of the scheme want the whole of a £2.3bn investment reserve to be returned to members as soon as possible, and for the Government to agree to review how future fund surpluses are shared with members.
In late 2024, the Government agreed to take similar action with the Mineworkers Pension Scheme, a larger pension fund for former coal miners.
Mr. Evans said, “I was pleased when the Government announced it would return the £1.5bn investment reserve to Mineworkers Pension Scheme members. Now, the Government must do the same for members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme, whose members are in a very similar situation.
“It was a pleasure to attend the members meeting, and to hear from the scheme’s members and trustees. Like the rest of the valleys, Caerphilly has a proud mining history, and it is right that we give former miners and coal staff the pensions they deserve.
“I will be writing to the Minister seeking action on this matter, and I will also be seeking a meeting with the Minister at the earliest opportunity. Action needs to be taken quickly to address this injustice.”
