The paltry price of asbestos justice

The strong suspicion remains that the lengthy delays in publishing a consultation on compensation for plaques sufferers comes down to the financial extent of the government's liabilities.

Ministers say compensation would cost £35 million a year - but UCATT has revealed that the true cost could be only £10m, which general secretary Alan Ritchie branded "a drop in the ocean."

The government appears to be stalling on restoring compensation to pleural plaques victims due to financial concerns.

It promised to make an announcement on restoring compensation to pleural plaques victims in November 2008, but has not done so.

And Justice Minister Jack Straw told the Commons last week that "this is a difficult issue and involves potential expenditure by a number of departments, but consideration by ministers continues."

But UCATT cited documentation on Monday, apparently produced by a government representative, which indicated that the government's annual liability for pleural plaques victims could be as low as £10m.

This is less than a third of the previously stated figure of £35m per annum.

Most of the government's liabilities relate to former nationalised heavy industries such as shipbuilding, steel works and the railways, in which the government has not had any involvement for many years.

Mr Ritchie said: "Pleural plaques victims deserve justice and the long delay in announcing whether the government will restore compensation to pleural plaques victims is entirely unacceptable.

"The government's own liabilities are just a drop in the ocean compared to the billions spent on bailing out the banks."

Concerted pressure is also being put on the government by the insurance industry which, estimates suggest, could be liable for up to £1 billion in compensation claims.

Last week, the Scottish Court of Session upheld the Scottish Parliament's decision to reinstate compensation for pleural plaques sufferers.

UCATT also condemned the government's failure to respond to its proposals on future liability claims.

The union submitted its proposals in early autumn setting out how speculative and opportunistic claims-management companies which abuse vulnerable workers could be managed. It has yet to receive any response.

Mr Ritchie added: "The government's attitude on pleural plaques is deeply frustrating.

"We have attempted to make constructive proposals to ensure that compensation can be restored to victims. Unfortunately, it appears that the government is paralysed on the issue and unable to make a decision."

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson disputed the union's claims, saying: "We do not recognise the figures quoted by UCATT.

"The government is still considering the issue of compensation for pleural plaques in England and Wales and how people who have been exposed to asbestos can be supported much more widely and will make an announcement as soon as possible."