The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced a significant reform to compensation payments for those affected by asbestos and dust-related diseases. Under new legislation laid before Parliament this week, dependants of individuals who have suffered from such illnesses will receive compensation payments equal in value to those given to the sufferers themselves.
This change aims to end a longstanding disparity in compensation amounts. Currently, workers affected by asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and pneumoconiosis can claim a one-off government payment if they have not already received compensation from their employer. On average, sufferers receive £17,700, whereas their dependants receive £10,700 - a gap of approximately £7,000.
The government, led by Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms, is introducing legislation to close this gap, ensuring fairer treatment for bereaved families. The new payment scheme is set to come into effect on 31 October 2026.
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Sir Stephen Timms commented: “Families who have lost a loved one to a disease caused by their work deserve our support, not a system that treats them as an afterthought. That’s exactly what’s been happening, and campaigners have been telling us for over a decade that it’s wrong. Today we’re fixing it. Fairer, simpler, clearer support for families, at an incredibly difficult time in their lives.”
Jane Lassey, Director of Regulation at the Health and Safety Executive, highlighted the continued risks posed by asbestos exposure: “The devastating impact of asbestos-related disease and the terrible legacy of past exposure underscores why it is vital that we continue to protect people from the dangers it can pose. That is why we continue to deliver guidance, awareness-raising campaigns, and enforcement activity to protect people from harm.”
In 2025, 2,730 sufferers received compensation awards, alongside a further 300 awards paid to dependants at the previous lower rate. This adjustment will bring parity to the compensation system moving forward, acknowledging the profound impact on families left behind.
The reform represents a critical step in supporting those affected by occupational diseases and ensuring equitable treatment for sufferers and their dependants alike.