Electricians and plumbers at risk of asbestos 'should be given more support'

The Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT) has called for the government to make compensation for construction workers a bigger priority, after billions of pounds were made available for the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Alan Ritchie, the general secretary of the body, believes that tradespersons and industry workers that have had their health compromised as a result of exposure to asbestos are long overdue help, especially when many have become ill working for the government in the Ministry of Defence and former nationalised shipyards.

He said: "It is understood that the banks have to be bailed out for the good of the economy but former government employees whose health has been damaged by negligent exposure to asbestos are equally deserving of assistance."

Pleural plaque compensation would cost the state £35 million per year, according to the union and to raise awareness of the risk of asbestos, the Health Service Executive recently launched its Hidden Killer campaign.