***UPDATE***

The Government at the last minute introduced an amendment to the Bill which implements a review of the effect of the changes on mesothelioma related claims, an eleventh hour climb-down following intense pressure from Lords, campaigners and politicians across the divide.

After the announcement, Rachel said:

“I’m pleased that the government have finally mounted an eleventh hour climb down after pressure from Labour, peers and campaigners on these unfair plans. But it has taken too long for the government to listen to the overwhelming opposition to this part of the Bill. To have lumped victims of workplace illnesses like Mesothelioma into a so-called ‘compensation culture’ was an insult. The legacy of Asbestos in Armley and cases brought by sufferers of mesothelioma show beyond doubt that they are nothing of the sort. For the victims of the JW Roberts factory in Armley and for asbestosis sufferers across the country, we need to make sure this review is done properly and I will continue to ask questions and fight for the victims of asbestos related illness.”

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The House of Lords sent the Government’s controversial Legal Aid Bill back to the House of Commons for a second time last night, with amendments to the Bill on the Lord Chancellor’s duties, domestic violence victims and asbestos illnesses.

The three defeats will be voted on this afternoon. Rachel will vote against the government again, having raised the issue of asbestos claimants in a letter to Ken Clarke. The vote comes ahead of her speech to the Leeds Worker’s Memorial Day on Friday, which will be held just moments from the site of the JW Roberts Factory.

You can read her recent articles on the Bill here and also Lord Alton’s speech on his amendment here