Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to compensate teaching professionals who have been exposed to asbestos while working in educational establishments.

It is the responsibility of employers to compensate their employees or former employees where harm is shown to have resulted from exposure to asbestos. Employers may have to provide compensation in cases where it is shown that they have not taken measures to protect their employees from the risk of exposure to asbestos. As the employers of teaching professionals in educational establishments, it is for schools, academy trusts or governing bodies (depending on the type of school) to provide compensation to employees harmed by asbestos exposure.

There are a number of schemes available to those who are unable to bring a claim for compensation against their employer or trace the relevant employers' liability insurer, which can support those who may have experienced this. These benefits and lump sum payments are administered by the Department for Work and Pensions.