Iain today welcomed a multi-million pound package of vital help that the Government is extending to individuals whose health has been put at risk due to exposure to asbestos.
This includes action to help people with asbestos related diseases to claim compensation, increase their upfront payments, and work towards a fund of last resort for people diagnosed with a serious asbestos-related illness who cannot trace their insurance records.
It also includes financial help to people with pleural plaques who were left in limbo by a House of Lords ruling in 2007.
The full list of measures, which was announced as part of the Government’s response to a consultation on pleural plaques (an asbestos related condition) includes:

• An ex-statutory scheme of fixed payments of £5k for individuals who had begun, but not resolved, a legal claim for compensation for pleural plaques at the time of the Law Lords ruling in 2007;

• Work towards the creation of an Employers Liability Tracing Office (ELTO) to help people who develop an asbestos-related disease to trace the relevant insurer and obtain full compensation.

• A consultation on the creation of an Employers’ Liability Insurance Bureau (ELIB), which will act as a fund of last resort for sufferers of asbestos-related disease who cannot trace the insurance records needed to gain compensation.

• Increased upfront payments for Mesothelioma sufferers and their dependents.

• The establishment of a world-leading network of medical practitioners to research asbestos-related disease, with increased investment from Government alongside £3m funding from the insurance industry;

• Action to examine and streamline litigation practices and procedures to speed up claims relating to Mesothelioma.

Responding to the Government’s decision, Iain said:

“I am delighted that the Government is building on its record of support for asbestos victims with the important measures announced today. In constituencies like Hartlepool, where many people were exposed to asbestos during their working lives, steps to help people gain swifter compensation for asbestos-related disease will be widely welcomed – as will increased investment for medical research in this area.

”The GMB trade union has been working with the Government, other MPs and me to ensure that the injustice of compensation for those suffering from pleural plaques will be stopped. Today’s announcement is a long way towards our ultimate aim of complete compensation, help and support.

“I am very glad there will be fixed payments for people with pleural plaques who had cases in the pipeline before the Law Lords ruling in 2007, and I urge any constituents who are in that category to visit the website below for information on how to apply.”
www.justice.gov.uk/about/pleural-plaques.htm

Iain is encouraging shoppers in Hartlepool to buy Fairtrade products during this Fairtrade Fortnight (22nd February – 7th March).

Iain welcomed Government plans to boost funding for the Fairtrade labelling system and urged shoppers in Hartlepool to look for the Fairtrade Mark on food, gifts and other products in the shops.

Over 4,500 products have been licensed to carry the Fairtrade Mark and there are over 460 producer organisations selling to the UK, representing more than 1.5 million farmers and workers in developing countries. Latest investment will bring another 1 million producers into the scheme and enable 7 million more people in poor countries to benefit from a better deal offered by Fairtrade.

Iain said:

“Small changes in our shopping habits can make a big difference to the world’s poorest people. By buying food, gifts and other products from developing countries we will help grow their economies and reduce poverty.

“When consumers and retailers act together to promote and buy goods from developing countries, we can make a real difference to the lives of some of the world’s poorest people.”

Douglas Alexander, International Development Secretary, said:

“Iain has been a passionate campaigner on fair trade. I hope shoppers across Hartlepool will join Iain during Fairtrade fortnight and take the chance to swap their usual shopping for Fairtrade products. “

Iain has this week given his backing to a new campaign in support of Sure Start Children’s Centres, which provide universal services for all families and children under five.

The ‘Shout out for a Sure Start’ campaign was launched this week by the charity 4Children and the popular children’s TV character Peppa Pig. The campaign has the support of children’s charities, trade unions and the Children’s Secretary Ed Balls and parents can find out more by visiting the new website at www.shoutoutforasurestart.org.uk

Iain said:

“Parents across Hartlepool tell me all the time how much they value their local Sure Start Children’s Centres, the services on offer and the help and support at hand. Most parents I talk to can’t imagine what it would be like if their local Children’s Centre was not there.

“That’s why I’m backing this campaign to shout out for Sure Start and promote the universal services on offer for families across Hartlepool like childcare and healthcare.

“Back in 1997 there were no Children’s Centres but thanks to investment from the Government there are now eight across Hartlepool, offering services to local children under five and their families.

“The Government has said it will keep investing in Sure Start because the early years of a child’s life are so important. Sure Start makes a difference to hundreds of families across Hartlepool. It should be open to all parents and children, not just a few. That’s why I’m going to keep shouting out for Sure Start and urge local parents to back the campaign too".