Hain Congratulates Cancer Support Legislation
The confirmation of the Mesothelioma Act 2014 has been congratulated by the former Secretary of State for Wales and Northern Ireland Peter Hain MP today.
The act received cross party support and successfully went through both houses over the past couple of months.
Its aim to is help people who suffer from a rare form of cancer, Mesothelioma, giving them and their dependents access to financial support previously unavailable to those with this condition.
Eligible applicants can receive up to £123,000 of support to help them with their illness which is commonly associated with people who have worked with asbestos but is one of the rarer forms of cancer.
Before the act, people who had worked with asbestos and subsequently contracted the disease did not receive payment unless their former employer admitted to using asbestos, failing in their statutory duty.
From now on suffers of Mesothelioma who have not previously received support can apply to the Diffuse Mesotheliaoma Payment Scheme by contacting mesoscheme.org.uk
Eligible applicants can receive up to £123,000 of support to help them with their illness which is commonly associated with people who have worked with asbestos but is one of the rarer forms of cancer.
Mr Hain said, “I am very pleased that the act has been passed and that finally this minority of people who have been let down by their employers have had their rights redressed and can begin to get support.
“No one should be forced to wait years for compensation, in some cases these people do not have years to wait, this incurable cause of cancer can leave families devastated so I am very pleased that more is being done to help them.”