Rachel has urged the Government to think again about legislation which will rob dying asbestos victims of the justice they deserve. Writing to Ken Clarke, she highlighted the injustice of taking 25% of the damages away from mesothelioma claimants, and pointed to the terrible legacy of the JW Roberts factory in Armley. Commenting on the Bill, she said:

“I am pleased to see that a group of Peers from all Parties have raised this issue both in the House of Lords and by writing in the press to condemn the proposal that asbestos victims could have their compensation reduced to fund legal costs. I support the call for exempting claims for those suffering from occupational respiratory and asbestos related diseases from the new legislation. I have met with local constituents whose lives have been tragically affected by exposure to asbestos, and seen first hand its impact on families. I planted a tree in memory of the victims in Armley last year, and I find it unbelievable that the Government would seek to take money away from people who through no fault of their own were exposed to deadly asbestos fibres.”

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-stories/compensation-for-asbestos-injury-is-under-new-threat-1-4345036