Labour will not ignore calls for action on asbestos

This post is written by Kate Green MP and Stephen Timms MP

Earlier this week Labour’s frontbench Work and Pensions team met campaigners and experts to discuss the critically important issue of exposure to asbestos.

Around 4,000 people die each year from mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer, 11 people for every day of the year. The UK has the highest incidence in the world. The asbestos-related disease, mesothelioma, has a long latency period and is almost always fatal. Asbestos in the workplace – including in almost all schools built before 2000 – presents a threat both now and in the future. UCATT estimates that there are six million tonnes of asbestos in UK buildings. There is an urgent need to raise awareness of the risks of asbestos and for the government to take appropriate action.

There has been considerable recent parliamentary activity around mesothelioma, with the Mesothelioma Act 2014, and Lord David Alton’s bill on research funding now before the House of Lords.

Labour worked hard to ensure that the Mesothelioma Act was shaped in the interests of sufferers and their families. Whilst we saw some progress, there is still unfinished business in securing justice for people who have contracted asbestos-related diseases. The government’s legislation has limitations and omissions which Labour will tackle in Government.

Earlier this year, Labour announced a series of measures to support mesothelioma victims, including a statutory 3% levy on the insurance industry, and placing funding for research on a sustainable basis.

Funding for research is vital. Thanks to funding provided by the last Labour Government, promising research avenues are being pursued. A cure for mesothelioma no longer looks impossible. But the funding is coming to an end. A Labour government will ensure this vital work continues.

We know much more needs to be done. That is why we held these important meetings this week. We want to develop a robust health and safety policy on asbestos, to raise awareness of the dangers and to deal effectively with the continuing health threats.

Concern was expressed at the meetings at the inadequacy of the current safeguards. It has taken the current Government four years to get round to an awareness campaign on asbestos. Which has only just started. While the government’s campaign is aimed at professional builders, nothing seems to be planned to warn people who are planning DIY jobs of the real dangers of asbestos in homes.

The point was made repeatedly that action is needed to root out bad practice. Regulations need enforcement; and we need proper inspections to ensure that workplaces are free from the risk of asbestos. Current policies which restrict the ability of the Health and Safety Executive to act, make this job doubly difficult.

We heard evidence of a disproportionately high rate of mesothelioma among school teachers.  The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Health and Safety examined the dangers of asbestos in schools earlier this year.  Their report states: ‘…at present, there are serious deficiencies in the way that asbestos is managed in schools’.  A pro-active approach is required.  A good start would be to establish a clear picture of the scale of the problem. In addition, we need access to awareness raising and training for school staff and governors.  There is a problem in hospital buildings too.

We need a clear strategy to combat the risk of asbestos in the workplace, and in wider society. We heard at the roundtable that Australia has established the “Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency”. A strategy needs to be backed up by pro-active inspections and awareness raising. Inaction now will store up problems for future generations. Labour is committed to working with campaigners, trade unions, medical practitioners and support groups to address this issue.

As we develop the policies which a future Labour government will deliver to keep people safe we want to hear your views and concerns. Please email us [email protected] or [email protected] or write to us at the House of Commons

By working together we are confident we can tackle the threat from asbestos.

 Kate Green MP is the Shadow Minister for Disabilities and Stephen Timms is the Shadow Minister for Employment