Asbestos in Workplaces

Ian Lavery paid tribute to campaigners fighting asbestos-related cancers, emphasizing the severity of mesothelioma, which kills within a year for 60% of those diagnosed. He highlighted that successive governments have failed to protect people from this disease, leading to increased deaths among teachers, plumbers, doctors, nurses, and others exposed to asbestos in buildings. Lavery cited statistics showing 400 teacher deaths since 1980 at a rate of about 21 per year and noted the heightened vulnerability of children to mesothelioma compared to adults.

Mr Hussain expressed deep concern over the prevalence of asbestos in UK buildings, noting that about 5,000 people die each year from asbestos-related conditions. He highlighted the importance of enforcing current legislation and protecting workers' rights under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

Jeremy Corbyn highlighted the historical context of asbestos usage and its dangers, noting that many workers were exposed to it despite known risks. He also mentioned unaccounted rubbish dumps containing asbestos remains across the country which pose a significant risk when disturbed during construction or development projects. Mr Corbyn intervened to raise concerns about unmarked dumps containing dangerous blue asbestos, particularly those from the Ministry of Defence.

Jim Shannon highlighted the life-threatening dangers of asbestos in workplaces and shared a case from Ulster University Jordanstown campus where staff members were diagnosed with cancer. He noted that cases of asbestos-related illness causing death increased from 63 in 2019 to 99 in 2020 in Northern Ireland. Shannon also mentioned the widespread use of asbestos in the building trade before 1980 and its long-term implications, including deaths from mesothelioma or asbestosis among former shipyard workers. He emphasised that proper precautions must be taken to make workplaces safe.

The Work and Pensions Committee criticised the Government and the HSE for showing a lack of imagination in working towards wholesale removal of asbestos in non-domestic buildings. Does she agree that the HSE should fund research to inform a wider credible strategy for wholesale removal? Margaret Ferrier asked if there must be sufficient planning to prevent a gap in legislation for asbestos, given that the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 will sunset at the end of the year due to retained EU law status and the ongoing Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill.

Marion Fellows praised the debate's importance and noted Scotland's unique compensation system for pleural plaques. She shared her personal experience in education and highlighted the need for comprehensive data on asbestos in public buildings, including schools. She expressed concern about funding cuts to the Health and Safety Executive and asked for a reversal of these cuts to enable proper enforcement of safety regulations. Fellows also advocated for addressing issues with the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill and called for a public awareness campaign on asbestos risks.

The historical legacy of asbestos in heavy industry is well documented, but does the hon. Lady share my concerns and those of the Clydebank Asbestos Group in my constituency about the increasing number of women being diagnosed with asbestos-related conditions. Martin Docherty expressed concern about hidden asbestos dumps across the country and shared a personal anecdote of his grandmother's fence made from Turner's asbestos factory in Clydebank, highlighting the differentiation around how people get exposed to asbestos.

Mr Whitley highlighted the ongoing dangers of asbestos exposure in the workplace, particularly citing a strike action by workers at a local social housing provider who were improperly trained to handle asbestos. He emphasised that asbestos-related diseases remain a significant health risk and called for more urgent measures to address this issue.

Stephen Timms expressed concern about the decline in asbestos inspections and enforcement notices. He highlighted the need for a plan to remove asbestos from non-domestic buildings within a 40-year timeframe, emphasizing that current regulations might be unsafe. He also called for a central digital register of asbestos and government support for data collection and management. Mr Timms asked for clarity on whether secondary legislation will be forthcoming to replace repealed regulations under the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill.