The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Occupational Safety and Health met in the House of Commons on Wednesday 15 April 2026 to discuss the ongoing risks of asbestos exposure and the urgent need to improve outcomes for people affected by mesothelioma.
The meeting brought together parliamentarians, clinicians, legal experts, patient representatives and charities to examine the UK’s continuing asbestos legacy, and the impact on individuals and families today.
National asbestos-related cancer charity, Mesothelioma UK showcased its key priorities for improving care, treatment and prevention, calling for coordinated national action across healthcare, education and regulatory systems.
Speakers highlighted the need for stronger NHS structures to ensure timely diagnosis, equitable access to specialist care and improved outcomes for patients living with mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma UK set out its key priorities, including:
- Mandatory undergraduate asbestos-related disease education for healthcare professionals to improve early diagnosis
- A national clinical audit to measure and improve care standards
- Expanded access to specialist mesothelioma clinical networks
- Increased funding for specialist mesothelioma nursing posts
- Guaranteed equitable access to compensation and benefits for patients and families
The APPG also heard calls for improved asbestos management and prevention strategies to reduce future exposure risks. Key recommendations included:
- A continuous national asbestos awareness and education programme
- Mandatory asbestos awareness training for public sector workers, particularly in health and education
- Improved national data collection on asbestos-related disease incidence
Liz Darlison, CEO of Mesothelioma UK added: “The APPG meeting emphasised that asbestos remains a continuing public health risk in the UK, with millions still potentially exposed in workplaces, schools and healthcare settings.
“We reiterated that the UK continues to have one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world and stressed the importance of coordinated action across government, the NHS and industry to prevent future cases, whilst improving care for those currently affected.
“A big thank you to all of the Mesothelioma UK team, our partners, supporters and patients for writing to their MPs to bring their attention to the event.”
Prof Nick Maskell, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mesothelioma UK, said: “I wanted to speak at the APPG event to highlight a few key issues around mesothelioma. Firstly, we need a national register of asbestos in all government buildings and a risk register allowing a phased removal programme, starting with the worst buildings.
“Secondly, once a diagnosis of mesothelioma is secured, access to oncological treatments varies widely across the UK. Therefore, regular national audit data is vital to help drive up standards by helping to identify areas of excellence and regions that are struggling.
“Also, access to novel trials in mesothelioma is often a postcode lottery. It should not be. Finally, a dedicated call for mesothelioma studies is urgently needed and the academic community is ready to take up this challenge and submit high quality projects if an NIHR call for funding was made available.”
Richard Blunt, Mesothelioma UK ambassador, said: “There is no safe limit of exposure to asbestos and with an estimated six million tonnes of the material still present in buildings across the UK, including schools and hospitals, the threat to future generations remains clear.
“Despite the ban on the use of asbestos in 1999, mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases remain the leading cause of work-related deaths in the UK. This is not a legacy issue of the past, but a current and ongoing risk to public health.
“The time to act is now – policymakers must take responsibility and implement coordinated action to prevent exposure and ensure equitable treatment options are available to patients in need of specialist care.”
The APPG also heard from Amanda Jones, Head of Asbestos for Thompsons Solicitors and trustee of Mesothelioma UK, who called for change. She said: “Despite asbestos being banned nearly 30 years ago, people continue to be exposed in schools, hospitals and public buildings, showing that managing asbestos in place is failing. A shift to planned, phased removal is essential to prevent future harm and deaths.”
Mike Harding, a retired London firefighter diagnosed with mesothelioma, also spoke at the event, and said:
“When conducting fire investigation, I worked in fire-damaged buildings containing asbestos materials, breathing in deadly dust. Early on in my career I also wore flash hoods and gauntlets made of asbestos. I was exposed without adequate warning, training or protective equipment.
“Given the amount of asbestos still in situ in buildings across the country, the danger persists to this day so it’s vital to continue to raise awareness of the dangers of exposure and we need the support of our politicians to help us to drive the changes needed.”
Mesothelioma is a cancer related to exposure to asbestos and predominantly affects the lining of the lungs. The UK has the highest incidence of the disease in the world, with around 2,700 people diagnosed each year.
