What factor was most responsible for British leaders' failure to pass laws addressing pollution and workplace safety early in the industrial revolution?

The answer is capitalism - Apex

The correct answer to this question is that British leaders feared that such laws would interfere with business and harm businesses

This has always been the fundamental problem posed by economic development vis a vis environmental protection since the onset of the industrial age. Environmentalists contends that resource use should be balanced with environmental protection in what is known as sustainable development.