Construction union UCATT have welcomed the launch by the Daily Mirror of a major campaign on asbestos and have renewed their call for the Government to restore compensation to victims of pleural plaques.

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of UCATT, said: "I am delighted that the Daily Mirror has launched a major campaign about the ongoing dangers of asbestos. It marks a welcome commitment to popular accessible campaigning journalism on subjects which directly affect the lives of working people.

"I believe that the Mirror's campaign will provide fresh pressure on the Government to reverse the Law Lords decision and reinstate compensation for victims of pleural plaques."

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Pleural plaques are scarring of the lung caused by heavy and prolonged exposure to asbestos. Some of the scars can be the size of a dinner plate. Plaques cause some physical symptoms but victims experience severe mental distress. People with pleural plaques have a greatly increased risk of developing the incurable lung disease mesothelioma.

UCATT also welcomed the Mirror's support for the creation of a Employers Liability Insurance Bureau. The creation of a bureau would mean that asbestos sufferers who could not trace their employer's insurer would still be compensated.

A premium from each employer liability insurance policy would be placed in a separate fund. If an asbestos victim could not trace the appropriate insurer then compensation would be paid from that fund.

UCATT raised the issue of the creation of an ELIB at last year's Labour conference and are using the party's internal policy making procedures to get the policy adopted.

Mr Ritchie added: "The creation of the ELIB would guarantee justice for victims of the most severe forms of asbestos disease. Everyone of these workers deserves justice regardless of whether an insurer can be identified."

(CD/JM)