Victim of Welsh pension scandal calls on Reeves to resign

A FURIOUS former steelworker has called for the resignations of Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Pensions Minister Torsten Bell.

- CONOR GOGARTY Investigations editor [e-mail]

The 79-year-old is one of the victims of the Allied Steel and Wire (ASW) pensions scandal in Cardiff.

John Benson, of Dinas Powys, spoke out after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that from January 2027, victims of pensions scandals like ASW would start to receive inflation-linked rises.

However, the pensioners have not received any inflationary increases to their pensions payouts since the steel firm went bust in 2002.

The former ASW worker estimates he is currently receiving just half of the pension he paid for, an annual income of £13,000 compared to the £26,000 he would be receiving under the terms of the scheme.

Future increases based on the CPI rate will provide some protection from future inflation but do nothing to close the gap between the pension he receives and the pension he paid for.

In a letter to MPs and Senedd Members, Mr Benson said: “I have just found out that a Labour Government has once again stitched up workers now pensioners, with their shameful act of treason and betrayal.

“Once again, after a tireless 23-year campaign for justice, they are still trying to deny the former workforce at ASW Cardiff and others, the pensions they paid for and rightfully deserve in full”