"It's unnecessary, destructive and cruel"

Wednesday 03 June 2020

Local cancer patients who became ill after inhaling asbestos might have to wait even longer for compensation, with P&R planning to shelve a previously approved scheme while it focuses on "priority areas" for States spending.

The mesothelioma compensation scheme was approved by the States last year, when Deputy Matt Fallaize took two amendments to the Assembly.

The scheme, which is expected to cost about £100,000 each year, is due to come into place on 1 January 2021. But now, the Policy & Resources Committee is attempting to push that back indefinitely.

"Since the principle of this scheme was agreed in 2019 and the policy letter was prepared in the first quarter of 2020, the States' financial position has been significantly affected by the impact of the covid-19 pandemic," a sursis lodged by Deputies Jonathan Le Tocq and Jane Stephens of P&R explains.

Pictured: The scheme will be available to anyone who developed mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos in the Bailiwick.

"Undoubtedly, there will also continue to be an impact on the States' financial position in future years as the global and local economic climate recovers and income receipts are restored.

"There will need to be a fundamental examination of all States’ expenditure and re-shaping of the delivery of public services to ensure that services are prioritised and those delivered are as economic and resilient as possible, with resources focussed on priority areas with other services either reduced or ceased."

But, the committee is facing criticism from Deputy Fallaize, who believes the scheme is already long overdue.

“I am not one of those who enjoys sticking it to the Policy & Resources Committee, but I’m afraid their proposal to defeat the compensation scheme is indefensible on every level," he said. "Kicking the compensation scheme into the long grass is unnecessary, destructive and cruel. It would come as a brutal blow to sufferers of mesothelioma and their loves ones.

“P&R members are good people trying to do a difficult job, but they have got this very badly wrong. They should withdraw their sursis and we could all accept it as an unintentional error. If they continue with their sursis it deserves to be savaged in the States.

Pictured: Exposure to asbestos can cause cancer.

"I doubt the States will vote to make the mesothelioma compensation scheme an early casualty of the current challenges. Many people will be wondering whether this is the first step on the road to funding the States’ recent borrowing commitments by cutting into essential services and social support schemes, and if it is they won’t want a bar of it.

“Guernsey should have established a compensation scheme years ago. It is unimaginable that the States should want to delay it any longer. The States should, and I think they will, back the Committee for Employment & Social Security, get the compensation scheme set up and reject this 11th hour proposal to prolong years of inaction in this area.”

The sursis is due to be debated today in a virtual States sitting, which is available to watch here.

Pictured top: Deputy Matt Fallaize.