Russell Worth is backing calls for a Government report on the management of asbestos in schools across the country to be published as soon as possible.

The report was originally due to be published in June last year, but it now looks increasingly likely that it won’t be released until the end of February. The review was announced in October 2013 as a result of increasing pressure from campaign groups.

Every day, Russell Worth helps victims of asbestos-related diseases and their families in their fight for justice. Asbestos has not been put into any buildings since the year 2000, but the effects of asbestos exposure are still very real, as they can take many years to develop. Latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimate that more than 5000 people die every year as a result of asbestos exposure in houses, schools, factories, offices and hospitals, amongst others.

But despite these high numbers, asbestos is still present in around 90% of schools. Provided it is not touched, it is perfectly safe, however it can be easily disturbed as children move around classrooms, pushing chairs against walls or damaging window panels.

Gavin Moat, Industrial Disease Solicitor at Russell Worth said: “This report really needs to be issued as a priority, to ensure that the highest level of care is being taken to protect the public from asbestos-related diseases.

“Every day, we see first-hand the effects that asbestos exposure can have. Mesothelioma is an inexplicably cruel disease; the outlook for those who develop the illness is very bleak and other asbestos-related diseases do not fare much better.

“We are joining the campaign and asking for this report to be issued without delay. It has been pushed back for reasons that we aren’t aware of but the sooner it is published, the sooner the appropriate action can be taken to protect people from this dangerous substance.”