The South Wales Argus marked the third anniversary of the launch of its Justice for Miners campaign with a special edition.

The campaign began after the Argus revealed how a Government compensation scheme set up to help former miners crippled by chest diseases contracted while working underground had paid out hardly anything two years after being agreed by the Government in 1997.

Thousands of sick ex-miners – or the widows of workers killed by chest diseases – were waiting for cash.

But payouts were being delayed by, among other things, disagreements between the Government, lawyers and doctors; poor medical testing arrangements; and a lack of priority being given to the oldest and sickest claimants.

The Argus campaign has led to a massive speeding up of the process and this week’s special edition featured comments from Tony Blair, union leaders and compensation claimants, praising the campaign.

One of the highlights of the three-year battle was the handing in of a 25,000-name petition, calling for immediate £10,000 interim payments to all valid claimants, at a special sitting of the House of Commons.

Argus deputy editor Kevin Ward said: “This campaign has been a long, hard battle and it is not over yet – our readers will not let us give up.

“We have made a massive amount of progress by keeping up the pressure on the government, lawyers and doctors. But there is still work to be done.

“There are still thousands of ex-miners waiting for their compensation. Our campaign will not end until the very last one has a cheque in his hand.”

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