Government fixes T&N payouts injustice
Government fixes T&N payouts injustice
Workers with asbestos related diseases caused by their jobs at Turner and Newall (T&N) - once the world's biggest asbestos firm - will be allowed to keep government compensation alongside that reduced payouts from the company, the government has said. Workers had been subject to a clawback of government industrial disease benefits, even though they only received a fraction of the compensation they were due from the defunct company. Announcing the move, work and pensions secretary James Purnell said: 'It is important that these workers get all the help they can, which is why I have taken this decision. We have been in discussion with those representing the workers and have decided not to make deductions any more. This will mean that those people receiving only a fraction of their full compensation will not be penalised further.' Welcoming the announcement, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: 'This corrects an injustice which led to several hundred workers being denied compensation. This anomaly led to a situation whereby in many cases it was better for workers not to apply to the T&N compensation fund because they could get more compensation under the government scheme.' Derek Simpson, joint general secretary of Unite, said: 'We are delighted that the government has put this right. Had it not been for Unite's prompt intervention this problem would have remained unchecked to the disadvantage of many mesothelioma sufferers and their families. This decision will benefit our members and countless other T&N asbestos victims who have suffered serious pain and loss of life, and it will aid their families who have to care for them.'
DWP news release. TUC news release. Unite news release. Wigan Evening Post.
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