MPs have vowed to overcome a recent parliamentary setback to continue their fight to win compensation for pleural plaques sufferers.
Joiners liability insurance holders were told that the issue of asbestos compensation will be kept on the political agenda by MPs, despite parliament's failure to ratify a private member's bill.
The motion, which seeks to overturn the ban on compensation claims for those who contract pleural plaques from asbestos exposure, was not granted approval from the House of Lords before the end of the current parliamentary session.
Dave Anderson, MP for Blaydon, told the Evening Chronicle that although this outcome was expected, MPs would be continuing their campaign.
"We are working together to find a mechanism to get this through," he added.
Pleural plaques sufferer Bob Cusworth, from Jarrow, near Newcastle told the Jarrow and Hebburn Gazette that he fears the campaign is now "back to square one" and branded the lack of a positive decision a "disgrace".