Clydebank wins fight to scrap ‘abhorrent’ compensation time limit on asbestos victims

Clydebank & Milngavie MSP "resolute" in fight for justice

Clydebank Asbestos group at Holyrood with Marie McNair 

Clydebank’s MSP has secured legislative commitment in Holyrood that will end the current “abhorrent” time bar for certain asbestos-related compensation.

In the run-up to Action Mesothelioma Day, MSP Marie McNair led a debate in Holyrood to raise awareness of the aggressive form of cancer that can be caused by asbestos exposure.

In the fifth annual debate, she secured commitments to introduce legislation that will scrap the current three-year time bar that asbestos-related cancer victims face when seeking compensation.

She said: “My heartfelt thanks go to the Clydebank Asbestos Group and all the campaigners who strongly raised this issue and rightly wanted it fixed.

“It is vitally important that we act quickly as people are dying before they receive compensation, so I am pleased that I have secured a commitment from the First Minister that the legislation to achieve this will be introduced this year.

“Asbestos diseases develop slowly, but then death can occur quickly.

“So, people can become ill and die without ever receiving damages or even being able to bring a claim at all.

“This is heartbreaking and unjust.

“I am determined it must be ended and my constituents and many others get access to full compensation.”

Clydebank has a long history with the disease as the area was once dubbed the asbestos capital of Europe, a title that Marie McNair said: “No community would ever wish to hold."

She added: “It speaks directly to our industrial past - the shipbuilding, manufacturing and construction industries that built our nation at an enormous human cost.

“For decades, workers were exposed to asbestos fibres, often daily, and without protection or being advised of the risks.

“Evidence has since shown that companies were aware of the dangers long before meaningful protections were put in place.

“I say in the strongest terms that knowingly exposing people to a deadly substance without adequate safeguards is not negligence; it is an appalling criminal act.

“The ending of the time bar will not right this wrong, but it will remove a barrier to compensation at a time of greatest need.”

In Scotland, around 200 people are diagnosed with this aggressive form of cancer every year. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing and fatigue.

Asbestos memorial in Clydebank (Image: NQ)

Tommy Gorman, a board member of Clydebank Asbestos Group said: “I strongly welcome that legislation will be introduced this year and acknowledge the tireless work of Marie McNair MSP in this achievement.

“She has been resolute in bringing this about.

“This new legislation will provide better access to justice for asbestos sufferers and bereaved relatives which has been denied for decades by a ruthless insurance industry.”