Members of Parliament have commended investigative reporting that has brought renewed attention to the risks of silicosis among young quartz stonemasons during a Westminster Hall debate focused on workplace safety. The discussion highlighted the deadly impact of silica dust inhalation in the industry and followed a recent media investigation prompting regulatory action.

The debate took place amid an ongoing crackdown by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) targeting companies involved in cutting quartz kitchen worktops, a process known to generate hazardous silica dust. Since April 2026, HSE inspectors have visited 13 businesses engaged in this work. Of the 11 still operating, six were issued prohibition notices requiring them to cease processing activities immediately due to serious health risks. The HSE plans to carry out approximately 1,000 inspections across the country over the next year as part of this enforcement campaign.

Government minister Sir Stephen Timms, responsible for overseeing HSE, outlined the response in the debate, emphasizing the importance of regulatory oversight in protecting workers. Liberal Democrat MP Liz Jarvis, who secured the debate, warned that early findings from the inspections suggest a widespread pattern of unsafe working conditions. She referred to estimates indicating that more than 1,000 stonemasons in the UK may already suffer from silicosis, a progressive and incurable lung disease caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust. Jarvis noted that an estimated 4,000 workers might be engaged in informal or unregulated sectors of the industry where basic safety measures are often neglected.

Since mid-2023, over 50 young stonemasons, many in their 20s and 30s, have been diagnosed with silicosis. At least four individuals have died, and some patients have been referred for lung transplants. The debate was attended by Sandra Elliott, widow of George Elliott, a stonemason who succumbed to silicosis in 2023 after working on refurbishments at 10 Downing Street. Elliott expressed her desire to support others affected by the disease and praised efforts to raise awareness and improve conditions.

Her sister, Caroline Hudson, also spoke about the lack of public knowledge surrounding silicosis prior to the recent campaign, underscoring the role of investigative journalism in bringing the issue to light. The campaign, launched in 2025, has been credited by MPs and advocacy groups for raising awareness about the fatal implications of unsafe quartz dust exposure.

Labour MP Ian Lavery aligned himself with the campaign’s message, calling attention to the dangers posed by dry cutting quartz worktops and urging collective action to prevent further loss of life.

The debate underscored a growing consensus among parliamentarians and workplace safety advocates that enhanced regulation and enforcement are urgently needed to protect stonemasons and others exposed to silica dust in their work environments.