Bereaved families in the UK will now receive the full rate of government compensation when a worker dies from an asbestos-related or dust-related disease before making a claim. The change took effect on 31 October 2026 and is expected to benefit around 300 families a year.

Until now, dependants received a reduced payment in those circumstances. In 2025, workers who developed diseases such as mesothelioma and pneumoconiosis received average payments of around £17,700 through the government schemes, while dependants received around £10,700, a gap of about £7,000.

What changes for dependants

The new law applies to new dependant claims made from 31 October 2026 and is not retrospective. Under the 2008 Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme, a dependant of a 60-year-old claimant can now receive £56,656 instead of £24,526. Under the 1979 Pneumoconiosis scheme, a dependant can now receive £34,062, matching the amount that would have been paid to a 60-year-old individual with a disablement assessment of 31 to 40 per cent.

The schemes provide lump-sum payments where workers, or their dependants, have been unable to claim damages from an employer, often because the employer no longer exists. Ministers said no amount of money can make up for the loss, but the extra payment can help families with day-to-day expenses.

Why the reform was made

The changes follow an independent legal review of the schemes, which recommended updates to reduce legal and reputational risk, including equalising dependant payments and introducing a clear date for calculating awards. The legislation was laid in Parliament in September, and the government estimates the equalisation will cost between £2 million and £6 million a year.