EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL FEES

Motion Text

That this House notes that, in the first year following the introduction of fees for employment tribunal claims, the number of claims accepted fell by 77 per cent, from 187,441 between October 2012 and September 2013 to 43,961 between October 2013 and September 2014; further notes that there was no significant change in the ratio of employers winning cases versus employees winning cases when comparing pre- and post-fee periods; notes that evidence obtained by the Citizens Advice Bureau suggests that less than a third of claims assessed as having a very good, good or fifty-fifty chance of success were considered likely to be, or were definitely being taken forward by their clients; is concerned that fees are deterring, and in some cases preventing, individuals from exercising their employment rights; and calls on the Government to remove fees for employment tribunal claims.