Victims of mesothelioma, a cancer often linked to asbestos, who have been unable to get compensation because insurers or previous employers cannot be traced, can now make a fresh claim.

Initially, ministers approved plans to set up a fund for a 75% handout, amounting to an average of £115,000. But due to pressure from MPs, including Chatham’s Tracey Crouch, a campaigner for mesothelioma victims, this has now been increased to 80% – about £123,000.

Ms Crouch said: “This is really good news for mesothelioma sufferers across the Towns, who through no fault of their own have caught this fatal disease.

"I am pleased the government has U-turned on this matter and will now pay a much fairer compensation level to victims.”

The disease is often associated with work that went on at Chatham Dockyard before it closed in 1984. There was also a large asbestos processing operation at British Uralite in Higham.

Work and Pensions Minister Mike Penning said: "This will end years of injustice for mesothelioma victims and their families - who have had to endure this terrible disease with little hope of any compensation from the insurance industry.

“We have made it an absolute priority to bring in the scheme as soon as legislation will allow, so I am pleased to announce that victims will be able to apply for payments from next month.”