10. What representations has the Welsh Government made to the UK Government regarding the future of the miners pension scheme?

No representations, but we are aware of the issues and we support the National Union of Mineworkers in their call for a review.

I thank the First Minister for his answer. He’s no doubt aware that in return for underwriting the mineworkers pension scheme, the UK Government takes a significant share of that scheme’s surplus. Indeed, in one year alone, that windfall amounted to three quarters of £1 billion. Miners’ pensions have been turned into a cash cow for the British state. Will the First Minister consider working with former mineworkers and other stakeholders with a view to publish distinct Welsh Government proposals for the future and for improving the mineworkers pension scheme with a view to pursuing them at a UK level in the future?

Well, this is one of those pension funds, few though they are, that has been so successful that it’s provided more money than was anticipated for the UK Government. And that clearly can’t be right. We will be guided by the NUM, because they have called for a review, and rightly so. I know that they will be meeting soon with the scheme’s trustees as well to re-examine this. But, no, certainly, it can’t be the case that the miners pension fund should be seen as a way of generating money for the UK Government. And much more needs to be done to make sure there is a benefit for those who are recipients of pensions to ensure that they get a fair share of the pension fund’s profits. That is not the case at the moment and we’ll support the NUM in their call for a review.

Thank you, First Minister.