TUC urges ‘national mission’ to eliminate asbestos from UK workplaces
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The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called for a fully funded, government-led programme to remove asbestos from Britain’s workplaces, warning that the substance remains the country’s biggest occupational killer.
Laying a wreath at an event in Liverpool to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day (28 April), TUC general secretary Paul Nowak is expected to urge ministers to adopt what he describes as a ‘national mission’ to eradicate asbestos from public buildings, including schools and hospitals.
The TUC says more than 5,000 people die each year from asbestos-related diseases, with Britain recording the highest rate of asbestos cancers globally. Despite being banned, asbestos remains present in many older buildings, raising concerns about ongoing exposure among workers.
Nowak is set to highlight the scale of the challenge, arguing that managing asbestos in situ is no longer sufficient. He will call instead for a comprehensive removal strategy backed by government funding.
This is not just a policy ask – it is a public health necessity. Because prevention must mean elimination of risk, not just management of it
‘We have to be honest about the scale of the challenge we face. And none is bigger than asbestos,’ he is expected to say. ‘Each year, more than 5,000 people die because of asbestos. That cannot be allowed to stand.’
He will add that workers in schools, hospitals and other public sector buildings continue to face daily exposure risks, reinforcing the need for decisive action.
‘This is not just a policy ask – it is a public health necessity. Because prevention must mean elimination of risk, not just management of it,’ Nowak will say.
Separately, Nowak will attend a commemorative event at the Liverpool headquarters of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), where he will lay a wreath in memory of those who have died due to work-related illness and injury.
International Workers’ Memorial Day is held annually to remember workers who have lost their lives at work and to campaign for stronger health and safety protections.