UK Government Rejects Asbestos Petition

The UK government has rejected a petition from more than 10,000 people, asking for the creation of an asbestos register and the removal of asbestos over the next 40 years.

The petition asked for the government to commit to two recommendations that were recently made by a 2022 work and pensions committee.

The committee asked the government to commit to “a strategy to remove all asbestos from public and commercial buildings within the next 40 years”. The committee also pointed out that the most high-risk, asbestos-containing settings are schools and hospitals, and so this should be dealt with as a matter of priority. 

The committee also requested the creation of a central register, that will detail where all the asbestos is across the country, so a thorough plan can be made for its removal.

Despite the fact the petition was supported by more than 10,000 signatures, the government rejected it. In their response, they said clearer evidence was needed that the two recommendations would improve health outcomes.

The government said it “understands concerns about asbestos in buildings” and “will continue to consider how we can improve the system to minimise the risk of asbestos exposure.” Adding, “Great Britain has a mature and comprehensive plan to manage asbestos risk that aligns with the best evidence currently available.”

Despite the fact asbestos was banned more than 20 years ago, it is still the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK.

Think You Have Asbestos In Your Workplace?

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