Unions have called on the Government to announce whether or not they intend to introduce legislation to force employers to compensate sufferers of pleural plaques.

In October 2007, the House of Lords failed to overturn the decision of the Court of Appeal by ruling that, with no noticeable symptoms, pleural plaques sufferers were not entitled to compensation. Following the House of Lords decision, the Minister for Justice, Jack Straw announced that the Government would be bringing forward proposals regarding pleural plaque sufferers to November 2008. Now, three months on from this proposed date, no indication has been given by the Ministry either regarding when the announcement will be made nor the form of that announcement.

The House of Lords ruling is believed to have saved the insurance industry over £1billion in compensation payments and legal fees and so both the industry and sufferers await the Government announcement with anticipation.

Click here to read our related pleural plaques news story from April 2008.