'Encouraging bad employers' | New tribunal fees a 'green light' for bad bosses to exploit workers, campaigners warn

Unions, legal networks and rights organisations have slammed the Government’s decision to reintroduce employment tribunal fees.

In a joint statement penned by 48 organisations and campaigners including the TUC, Citizens Advice, Maternity Action, Women’s Budget Group, Liberty, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Fawcett Society, and Mother Pukka, the signatories call on the government to urgently reconsider its plans.

In 2017, after Unison brought a legal challenge, the Supreme Court quashed the previous tribunal fees regime because it “effectively prevents access to justice and is therefore unlawful.”

However, the Government recently announced it had launched a consultation to seek views on whether to reinstate a £55 fee for people to bring an Employment Tribunal claim. A period of consultation is now open for people to submit their comments.