The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) has criticised proposals by Companies House to delete the details of defunct UK businesses after six years.

According to the group, efforts by seriously ill workers and bereaved families to seek redress against negligent employers will be severely hampered under the plans.

Neil Sugarman, president of APIL, said: “Sick and injured workers need Companies House records to identify their former employers and the relevant insurers so that they can pursue them for the full compensation they need and deserve.

“Victims of asbestos-related disease mesothelioma, for example, are dying because of exposure at work as far back as the 1980s. Some of those companies who exposed their employees to asbestos are now likely dissolved and the records would be deleted under the plans.

“Without a record of the original company entity, workers and their families may never see justice be served.”

He added: “APIL members represent many thousands of people each year who need their work records, or their deceased family members’ work records, to pursue recompense or for use in inquests.

“There is no possible reason or motivation for deleting company records which should supersede the need to access information on behalf of vulnerable and ill individuals.”