UK raises compensation for families of workers killed by asbestos

The United Kingdom Government has ended a longstanding compensation rule that left families of workers who died from asbestos-related diseases before filing claims receiving significantly less than the amounts their loved ones would have been entitled to.

Under the new law, which took effect on Saturday, October 31, eligible dependants will receive the full compensation their deceased relatives would have received had they successfully claimed before death.

The Department for Work and Pensions announced the change in a press release published on Saturday, saying the reform would benefit approximately 300 families annually across the UK.

Under the previous system, bereaved families whose relatives died before making compensation claims received average payments of about £10,700 in 2025, compared with approximately £17,700 paid to workers who successfully claimed.

The difference meant dependants received around £7,000 less on average because their relatives died before completing the claims process.

The government said the change could significantly increase individual awards. Under the 2008 Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme, for instance, an eligible dependant of a 60-year-old worker who died before making a claim would previously have received £24,526.

Under the new arrangement, the family will receive £56,656, the full amount the worker would have been entitled to.

Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, said families should not suffer financial consequences because their loved ones died before claiming compensation.

“Losing a loved one to an asbestos-related disease is devastating. Families should not then face a financial penalty because of that loss,” he said.

“From today, bereaved families will receive the full compensation their loved ones would have been entitled to, ending a longstanding unfairness in the system.

“This is a long-overdue change that will provide greater support for families at a difficult time.”

The reform follows decades of campaigning by groups, including the Asbestos Victims Support Group Forum UK, and parliamentarians. The government estimates that implementing the change will cost between £2m and £6m annually.

• So This Happened: UK increases student visa living-cost requirements for international students
• UK varsities to face £925 levy per international student from August 2028
• UK increases student visa financial requirements for international students

UK Government Minister for Scotland, Melanie Ward, said the previous compensation rules had left families of workers affected by asbestos and dust-related diseases short-changed.

“For far too long, the families of workers who have suffered from the devastating effects of asbestos and dust-related diseases have been short-changed by outdated compensation rules,” she said.

“I’m glad that from today, the UK Government is putting an end to this injustice – including for victims in Scotland – by scrapping reduced payments for dependants. Across the UK, this long-awaited reform will increase compensation payments for grieving families.”

She also paid tribute to campaigners who had spent years pushing for the change.

The Director of Regulation at the Health and Safety Executive, Jane Lassey, said asbestos-related diseases continued to cause suffering among workers and their families, with the effects of past exposure still being felt.

“This change means bereaved families will receive the support their loved ones would have been entitled to,” she said.

The reform applies to new dependant claims made from October 31, 2026, and does not cover retrospective claims.

It affects the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979 scheme and the 2008 Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme, which provide lump-sum compensation to workers who develop dust-related diseases through their employment, or their dependants, where compensation cannot be secured from an employer.

Under the 1979 scheme, a 60-year-old worker diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease and assessed as having 31 to 40 per cent disablement would receive £34,062 under the 2026/27 compensation rate.

Previously, an eligible dependant would receive £21,011 if the worker died before making a claim. The new rule raises the dependant’s entitlement to £34,062.

The corresponding scheme in Northern Ireland, administered by the Department for Communities, is expected to introduce similar changes in due course.