Former mechanic welcomes asbestos compensation decision

An ex-mechanic has welcomed a decision made by the government to establish an Employers' Liability Tracing Office to track down firms' insurance policies.

The move is intended to help the victims of industrial diseases who cannot trace the insurance records of companies they have been employed by.

Responding to the development, Stephen Ward said the development is good news, the Derby Evening Telegraph reports.

The 48-year-old has mesothelioma, which he claims he contracted because he was exposed to asbestos fibres while working for a company which is no longer in business.

Commenting on the importance of receiving money, he said: "Getting the benefits I was entitled to has been a nightmare. It took seven months.

"If you were elderly or on your own, how would you cope, how would you get your benefits?"

Meanwhile, Joanne Carlin from the Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team said the scheme will help hundreds of people in Derbyshire.