AVSGF-UK: Pleural Plaques Campaign

Pleural Plaques Campaign

House of Lords End Compensation for Pleural Plaques

The Law Lords have upheld a Court of Appeal decision to end compensation for pleural plaques. Pleural plaques are localised areas of thickening of the pleura a two-layered membrane which surrounds the lungs, caused by asbestos fibres which have migrated to the pleura. Plaques usually do not cause breathlessness, but may cause anxiety because asbestos fibres in the lungs and the pleura have the potential to cause more serious asbestos related conditions.

People who have pleural plaques have a heightened risk of developing a fatal asbestos disease in the future. Compensation has been paid for over 20 years for the anxiety and fear that a diagnosis of pleural plaques causes. This judgment will cause anger and dismay to thousands of people who live each day with this fear. The Asbestos Victims Support Groups Forum UK is calling on MPs of all parties to overturn this appalling decision in Parliament.

Forum supports UCATT's Pleural Plaque Campaign

Photo of John Thompson (President UCATT) Ian McCartney MP and Tony Whitston (Chair Asbestos Forum) holding the UCATT postcard which was handed to Jack Straw, Secretary of State for Justice and has been sent to all MPs.
To read UCATT postcard.... click here

Hundreds Lobby MPs to Over Rule Plaques Decision

On the 29th January, hundreds of pleural plaques sufferers, led by the GMB trade union, met with MPs to demand that Parliament over rules the Law Lords’ decision to end compensation for pleural plaques.

Paul Kenny, GMB general secretary, and Alan Ritchie, UCATT general secretary, told MPs that some branches of their unions had been decimated by asbestos disease. Their members who suffered from pleural plaques watched with dismay as their colleagues who also had pleural plaques developed the fatal cancer, mesothelioma. They lived in fear of suffering the same fate.

Dozens of MPs attended the lobby to give their support, including Minister Nick Brown MP, George Henderson MP, Mick Clapham MP. They are to arrange a meeting with the Prime Minister to urge a change in the law to remedy this latest injustice affecting asbestos victims.

A pdf document of the day in photos is available at ... Leaflets

A pdf document of the day in photos is available at ... Leaflets