25th February 2010
National Centre on Asbestos Disease and Pleural Plaques
MKMRF are delighted the Government has outlined plans to commit £3m funding towards a National Centre for Asbestos Related Disease and plans to increase state funded lump sum payments to dependant family members. Existing awards to Mesothelioma sufferers will also be increased by 1.5% from April 1, 2010. The Government has a social and moral obligation to help future sufferers of devastating cancer, Mesothelioma and other asbestos related disease.
There was disappointment at the decision not to restore compensation for people with pleural plaques in England and Wales, but welcome a multi million pound package which will see increased state benefit payments for dependants of deceased asbestos victims and funding for research into asbestos related disease.
The Government confirmed fears that they would not be overturning the House of Lords ruling on pleural plaques. Instead they will make lump sum payments to those who had already begun a legal claim for pleural plaques at the time of the Law Lords’ ruling in October 2007.
It is anticipated around 6,000 people will receive ex-gratia payments of £5,000 each. Others will receive nothing despite many being diagnosed with pleural plaques before and since the House of Lords changed the law on compensation.
