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Attention: Safety, health, legal and industrial correspondents

TUC welcomes Byers' moves to help asbestos victims

Commenting on Secretary of State Stephen Byers’ announcement today to extend the Pneumonoconiosis Workers’ Compensation scheme to those affected by the Court of Appeal’s 'Fairchild judgement' - TUC General Secretary John Monks said:

'We very much welcome this as an interim measure, particularly given the medical circumstances of these asbestos victims. However, the TUC believes that the House of Lords should restore sanity to asbestos compensation and ensure that it is the polluter - not the tax payer - who pays.'

Notes to Editors:

1. Stephen Byers made this announcement by a written Parliamentary answer - further details from DTLR press officer Lis McColl on 020 7944 4605

2. Tomorrow (14 February) the TUC will launch Asbestos: no hiding place a new guide for workplace union safety reps on how to help prevent exposure to asbestos .

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Press release (300 words) issued 16 Feb 2002