ignores the facts" says the ABI in response to yesterday's move by the Scottish Executive to compensate pleural plaques victims in Scotland.
But what are the facts exactly ?

Fact : if you have pleural plaques then, by definition, you have been exposed to asbestos in unprotected conditions and that is usually down to employer negligence.

Fact : pleural plaques are (invisible) scars in the lining of the chest and, although not life-threatening in themselves, the fact remains that the victim is at an increased risk (possibly as high as 5-10%) of developing an asbestos-related cancer, eg malignant mesothelioma, in the future. The risk does not diminish with the passage of time.

Fact : people suffering from pleural plaques had been compensated for over 20 years until the insurance industry mounted a (successful) challenge in the courts on the basis that pleural plaques is a benign and, usually, symptomless condition. It was all about saving money, with no regard to the mental anguish endured by the thousands of people with the condition.