Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme Tariff Changes 2025

What is the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme?

The DMPS was introduced under the Mesothelioma Act 2014 to provide compensation to individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma who were negligently exposed to asbestos as an employee, but who are unable to bring a civil action as their former employer is no longer trading and their insurers cannot be traced. In effect, the scheme acts as a “scheme of last resort” for those unable to pursue civil claims.

The scheme operates on a tariff system which is a “one size fits all” approach and provides for a one-off tariff payment which is valued according to the applicants age at diagnosis. To receive a payment, applicants must demonstrate that they meet all the eligibility criteria.

Issues with the scheme

When the scheme was introduced, the intent was for payments under the scheme to be reviewed on an ongoing basis, but in practice the tariff payments in recent years have fallen short of court awards for mesothelioma which have kept pace with inflation.

Additionally, those who rely on the scheme are unable to secure private medical costs and are subject to deductions for benefits and legal fees from their tariff payment.

What has changed following the review?

• Tariff increase: Compensation awards have been uplifted by 49% for anyone diagnosed after the 4 November 2025. This is the most substantial increase since the scheme began. The increase however applies only to diagnoses on or after the 4 November 2025. Earlier claims will not be retrospectively adjusted.

The updated tariff payments are as follows:

Legal costs: The fixed contribution towards legal costs will rise from £7,000 to £13,700, helping claimants cover representation expenses.

Is there more still to be done?

• Despite the new increase, the scheme continues to lack an automatic inflation update mechanism which would prove helpful to ensuring the scheme payments remain in line with civil compensation.
• The scheme award has previously not accounted for the cost of future private medical treatment which is available in a civil claim and this has still not been addressed following the review.  The cost of private treatment can cost tens of thousands of pounds and is frequently paid for by defendants in a civil claim. The same indemnity is yet to be provided under the scheme.
• The scheme continues to deduct all benefits paid to the mesothelioma victim prior to the award of the tariff payment, but in civil claims, not all benefits are deductible.

Despite the shortfalls of the scheme, the scheme still provides a route for compensation when a civil claim is not available and there is hope that the shortfalls will be addressed in the near future.

Contact us

For further information about mesothelioma and asbestos disease claims, please call Abby Bennett on 0330 460 7342 or email abby.bennett@fieldfisher.com.

Alternatively

• You can speak to our asbestos disease lawyers on freephone 0800 358 3848
• email us: personalinjury@fieldfisher.com
• Complete the short online enquiry form

All enquiries are completely free of charge and we will investigate all funding options for you including no win no fee.