So what does HSE now think the current annual total number of asbestos-related cancer deaths is in Great Britain?

In 2005 (the latest year with published data) there were 2,037 mesothelioma deaths. Adding an equivalent number of lung cancers brings the total to 4,074.

Using this exact figure would imply much more accuracy than is truly the case. Even rounding to the nearest hundred (4,100) overstates our certainty if it is taken to imply the true number is larger than 4,050 and is smaller than 4,150.

Thus we suggest "around 4,000" is the best available simple formulation.