Asbestos victims and their families in this region have shared in £3.8 million compensation pay outs over the last 17 months thanks to the help of campaigners.

The cash was secured by the Northern TUC Asbestos Support and Campaign Group (ASCG) between April 2016 and September 2017 for claimants in the North East and North Cumbria.

The group, launched in 2010, is a partnership between Northern TUC, Macmillan Cancer Support, trade unions and West View Advice and Resource Centre, provides support, advice and information to people living with the effects of asbestos exposure, their families and carers.

People helped by the group have asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer as well as other workplace cancers.

Beth Farhat, Northern TUC Regional Secretary said: “Results like these are amazing and highlight the need for groups like the ASCG.

“We are also looking to develop this area of work further and widen the scope of the group to help even more people – taking the service directly into workplaces, briefing and training union reps.”

Beth Farhat, TUC
Beth Farhat, TUC

Asbestos is the biggest cause of workplace deaths. Last year 5,000 people were likely to die prematurely as a result of asbestos exposure, around three times the number of road accident deaths.

Most of those who die do so as a result of mesothelioma, a kind of cancer that can be caused by very low levels of exposure which is always fatal.

Almost all of the people who are dying today were exposed to asbestos decades ago, so asbestos is now often seen as being a problem of the past as its importation and use have been banned since 1999.

That is not the case. The dangers of asbestos are still with us. Asbestos-containing materials can be found in around half a million non-domestic premises, and probably around a million domestic ones.

Ms Farhat said: “Unfortunately, the legacy of asbestos is going to be with us for some time to come so it is imperative that there is free access to good quality, easily accessible support and guidance for those who need it.”

Val Evens, Manager of West View Advice and Resource Centre Limited, said: “We welcome the opportunity to extend our services and partnerships to incorporate the Northern TUC and the Macmillan Industrial Benefits Adviser.

“We know that through working together with our partners we will ensure this valuable service continues helping people suffering from industrial cancers right across the north east.”