Armed Forces: Asbestos
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many claims his Department (a) has settled, (b) has refused and (c) are outstanding for asbestos exposure relating to service in the armed forces.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones
Service personnel who develop lung cancer or asbestos-related diseases due to Service before 6 April 2005 may be eligible for compensation under the War Pension Scheme (WPS). For conditions arising on or after this date, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) applies.
WPS Asbestos-Related Claims (1 April 2020 - 31 March 2025)
Claim outcome | All Years | 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 |
Total | 731 | 143 | 138 | 127 | 175 | 138 |
Awarded | 614 | 122 | 121 | 101 | 151 | 119 |
Rejected | 117 | 21 | 17 | 26 | 24 | 29 |
Note: Pending claim figures are unavailable, as medical certification – required to confirm relevant conditions – is typically obtained close to the point of claim resolution.
Common Law Compensation Claims (1 April 2015 to 31 March 2025)
a) 19 asbestos-related claims have been settled with compensation paid.
b) 28 claims have been closed without compensation. It is not possible to distinguish between those refused, discontinued, or no longer pursued.
c) 320 claims remain outstanding.
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