News

Pressure building over asbestos in schools

The pressure on ministers to act over asbestos in schools continues to build after Freedom of Information requests reveal the huge amounts in compensation being paid by local authorities. Pete Henshaw reports

More than £10 million has been paid out in compensation by local authorities because of asbestos exposure in schools, it has been revealed.
The payments have been made to 220 former pupils, school employees, and former employees.

The figures have come to light following Freedom of Information requests submitted by asbestos campaigner Lucie Stephens, whose mother was a teacher for 30 years and died of mesothelioma – the asbestos-related cancer – in June.

The data also shows that there were 99 reported incidents of asbestos exposure in schools between 2011 and 2016, although campaigners say this is likely to be a “massive understatement” given that these are incidents of known exposure.

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