Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme Oversight Committee

The Oversight Committee provides an independent view of how the DMPS is operating and the applicant experience.

People who have been diagnosed with the asbestos related disease, diffuse mesothelioma, may be able to get payments through the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (DMPS).

The Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme Oversight Committee helps the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) monitor the scheme.

The committee:

  • provides a stakeholder view on the scheme
  • makes recommendations on how to improve the process where appropriate
  • ensures that eligible people are receiving payments through a reasonable and efficient process
  • informs DWP about any potential problems so they can be dealt with at the earliest opportunity

Terms of reference

Terms of reference

Membership

The committee consists of members from relevant interest groups with knowledge of diffuse mesothelioma. Current members are:

  • Baroness Rita Donaghy – Chair

  • Laurence Besemer – Forum of Insurance Lawyers

  • Nevyn Stephenson – Yorkshire & Humber Asbestos Support Group

  • Steven McGhee – Zurich Commercial

  • Shelly Asquith – Trade Union Congress

  • Kevin Johnson – Leigh Day - Association of Personal Injury Lawyers

  • Daniel Easton – Leigh Day - Association of Personal Injury Lawyers

Membership Changes

18 June 2025

Daniel Easton (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers) replaced Stephen Glynn (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers).

16 July 2025

Steven McGhee (Zurich Commercial) replaced Richard Thompson (Zurich Insurance).

Nevyn Stephenson (Yorkshire and Humber Asbestos Support Group) replaced David Ellis (Asbestos Victim Support Group).

Minutes

Thursday 6 November 2025

4 June 2025 (PDF, 150 KB, 4 pages)
6 November 2024 (PDF, 147 KB, 4 pages)
22 May 2024 (PDF, 116 KB, 6 pages)
8 November 2023 (PDF, 222 KB, 4 pages)
17 May 2023 (PDF, 181 KB, 4 pages)
2 November 2022 (PDF, 174 KB, 4 pages)
9 June 2022 (PDF, 159 KB, 4 pages)
17 November 2021 (PDF, 244 KB, 5 pages)
19 May 2021 (PDF, 155 KB, 4 pages)
18 November 2020 (PDF, 122 KB, 6 pages)
13 May 2020 (PDF, 165 KB, 9 pages)
17 December 2019 (PDF, 473 KB, 3 pages)
15 May 2019 (PDF, 452 KB, 3 pages)
6 November 2018 (PDF, 109 KB, 3 pages)
22 May 2018 (PDF, 123 KB, 4 pages)
31 October 2017 (PDF, 91.3 KB, 3 pages)
9 May 2017 (PDF, 365 KB, 3 pages)
5 April 2017 (PDF, 81.7 KB, 2 pages)
16 November 2016 (PDF, 95.3 KB, 3 pages)
26 May 2016 (PDF, 89.2 KB, 3 pages)
15 October 2015 (PDF, 79.9 KB, 2 pages)
28 May 2015 (PDF, 83.5 KB, 3 pages)
12 February 2015 (PDF, 43.1 KB, 3 pages)
17 December 2014 (PDF, 40.9 KB, 4 pages)
15 September 2014 (PDF, 48.3 KB, 4 pages)