The government has announced moves to speed up compensation claims for cancer sufferers struck down after being exposed to asbestos. In a written ministerial statement, John Hutton, Work and Pensions Secretary, unveiled a series of measures to ensure those suffering from mesothelioma would receive their money before they died. The move was widely welcomed by support groups and MPs who have long campaigned on behalf of sufferers and their families. Mr Hutton said he was determined to find a long-term solution to the issue but interim measures to speed up the claims process would be put into action immediately. Around 1800 people are currently diagnosed with mesothelioma each year, and as many as 2400 people could die from it annually by 2013. But while the disease has a long latency period, people typically die within 12 to 18 months of diagnosis.