Mesothelioma compensation scheme is inadequate, says Plymouth MP

Today the House of Commons debated at length amendments to the Mesothelioma Bill which had cross-party support. These amendments had at first been proposed by the Rt Hon Paul Goggins MP, currently fighting his own battle against serious illness, but were taken up by Tracy Crouch, the Conservative member for Chatham and Aylesford.

Alison Seabeck, MP for Plymouth Moor View, said: “I am angry that despite an intelligent, well argued and cross-party debate, government Ministers opposed a proposal which would have meant an increase in the percentage of average compensation that claimants could receive. They also opposed a back-dating of the scheme to 10th February 2010, which was the launch date of the last Labour Government’s consultation.”

“My constituents living in what is a Mesothelioma hotspot, as a result of Plymouth’s heavy industry and dockyard, will lose out because this government have not been able to push the insurance industry to go the extra mile. What is even more disappointing is that the same insurance industry will have already accepted premiums based on risk in these industries but are unwilling to pass on a very small additional amount to the victims and their families.”

“The Bill now will proceed through the House and some compensation will be paid, which is good news, but in my view it is still wholly inadequate.”