PLAID Cymru MP Jonathan Edwards joined the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme campaigners as they submitted their petition to Downing Street this week.

In a deal brokered by the last British Labour Government, the UK Treasury receives 50 per cent of all surpluses generated by the Mineworkers Pension Scheme in return for guaranteeing the scheme continues to operate.

Analysts calculate that the Treasury has accumulated nearly £8 billion over the last 20 years at a rate of £1million a day whilst former miners can receive as little as £84 per week.

Mr Edwards has called for a change in the scheme in order for more money to go to former miners and their families.

This week, the Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP, was invited to join campaigners as they submitted their petition, which reached in excess of 100,000 signatures, to 10 Downing Street.

Mr Edwards has supported the campaign since first being elected to Parliament in 2010.

Last week, the MP took the opportunity in the House of Commons to call for an urgent review into the scheme, stating that it was “a disgrace” that the British Government continued to receive vast sums of money from the fund two decades after it was created.

In an interview with the Western Mail published last week the leaders of the campaign openly thanked Plaid Cymru elected members with former miner, Ken Sullivan, saying the debate in Parliament would not be possible without the “outstanding” support of Plaid Cymru elected members.

Mr Edwards said: “It cannot be right that the UK Treasury is benefitting from around £1million per day thanks to the 50-50 arrangement the scheme has in place whilst former miners and their families can receive as little as £84 per week.

“I and my Plaid Cymru colleagues are supporting the campaign to ensure former mineworkers and their families receive more money – not the taxman.

“We’re all very grateful for the kind words of the campaign leaders, but the truth is that their efforts are our inspiration.

“It was a pleasure to join former mineworkers at Downing Street, and an honour to be invited to accompany them.

“When meeting with them I pledged to do all I can in Parliament to end this injustice.”