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Asbestos Removal: Non-domestic Buildings
18 June 2025
Lead MP
Emma Lewell
South Shields
Lab
Responding Minister
Sir Stephen Timms
Tags
ImmigrationEmployment
Word Count: 4086
Other Contributors: 4
At a Glance
Emma Lewell raised concerns about asbestos removal: non-domestic buildings in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should act now on asbestos removal from non-domestic buildings and consider implementing a central asbestos register and mandatory census for building owners to declare asbestos presence or suspicion of it.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The UK has one of the highest levels of deaths caused by asbestos exposure, with over 5,000 people dying each year. In South Shields, people are dying from asbestos at a higher rate than anywhere else in the United Kingdom. Asbestos-related deaths continue to occur due to its presence in buildings and workplaces.
Ian Lavery
Lab
Blyth and Ashington
He emphasised that asbestos-related diseases affect not only former industrial workers but also individuals exposed to asbestos in public buildings such as schools, hospitals, and town halls. He cited a statistic of 5,000 deaths per year from mesothelioma. Asked if there are records of children exposed to asbestos in schools, raised concerns about the effectiveness of current arrangements, and questioned the Minister on supporting a case for £10 million research and development funding.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
The hon. Member's concerns resonate with his constituency, noting the significant health impact on older generations exposed to asbestos in their working days.
Matt Rodda
Lab
Reading Central
Supports the need for further investigation and action by the Government to address the issue of asbestos in building stock and commercial properties.
Stephen Timms
Lab
Cambridge
Responded to questions regarding records of children exposed to asbestos, discussed the challenges in compiling a national register of asbestos, and highlighted efforts towards digitalisation of built environment data. Acknowledges the case for an asbestos-free Great Britain and supports further progress on removing asbestos across the country.
Government Response
Sir Stephen Timms
The Minister for Social Security and Disability
Government Response
Sir Stephen acknowledged the importance of managing asbestos in buildings through existing regulations but highlighted concerns about the current approach. He noted that while there are around 40,000 notifications of asbestos removal jobs annually, the number of enforcement notices had fallen significantly since 2018-19.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.