New call for review of tribunal fees as figures show massive drop in claims

Trade unions and employment law experts together are calling for a review of tribunal fees as new figures show a 70% drop in the number of cases taken to employment tribunal since they were introduced last year.

The TUC has published figures showing a 91% drop in the number of sex discrimination cases brought, while unfair dismissal and unfair deduction of wages claims have both fallen by 74%.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady commented: “The fees system is a victory for Britain’s bad bosses who are getting away with harassment and abuse of workers. Tribunal fees are pricing workers out of justice and have created a barrier to basic rights at work. The government has put Britain in a race to the bottom that is creating an economy based on zero-hours jobs and zero-rights for workers.”

Vaishali Thakerar, employment solicitor at Lawson-West agrees that a review is necessary: “A review is a very good idea to ensure that the current system is in fact working fairly for employees as well as businesses and is not denying access to justice, which these figures seem to suggest.”

For more information on whether you have an employment claim, and what you should do next please contact solicitors specialising in employment law Vaishali Thakerar, Ashley Hunt or Carrie-Ann Randall at Lawson-West on 0116 212 1000.

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