MPs question Health and Safety watchdog leadership

Hugely significant remarks made by HSE at the Work & Pensions Select Committee Oral Evidence Session on 05/02/2025

Watch: Parliament Live (11:12 to 11:16 minutes)

Sarah Albon, HSE Chief Executive, stated:

• "No timeframe but agreement between HSE and government to ultimately look to remove asbestos entirely from built environment"

• Need to build the ecosystem for this - "a workforce that is qualified to work with asbestos"

• Disposal facilities need to be improved

• This "links to the potential for some kind of register"

The HSE stated that it was the previous government that rejected the Committees recommendations for a register and a 40-year plan, but that Sir Stephen Timms is in favour and very supportive.

Another nuance is that Sarah Albon talks of understanding the risks of asbestos in buildings. This is a significant digression from the HSE position that asbestos is of "zero" risk, if well managed. Long way to go still but a massive change in tone and a real prospect that something will finally be done.