U.K. Employment Rights Act will lead to rise in tribunal claims
By 
Ruth Prickett2026-01-24T01:20:00
The number of U.K. employment tribunal cases could rise by 17 percent following reforms in the Employment Rights Act 2025. A host of changes come into force this year, such as reducing the qualifying period for unfair dismissal to six months, giving workers rights from day one in the job, strengthening protection for pregnant women, and ending “exploitative” contracts.
The U.K. government’s Economic Analysis of the Act, published on Jan. 7, shows it will “pile” thousands more cases onto a “creaking” employment tribunal system, according to the Law Gazette. This could lead to an extra 21,000 early conciliation notifications to the arbitration service Acas, 6,900 more employment tribunal cases, and 1,300 further cases requiring judicial time.
THIS IS MEMBERS-ONLY CONTENT
You are not logged in and do not have access to members-only content.
If you are already a registered user or a member, SIGN IN now.
Related articles
-
ArticleCompliance teams urged to prepare as U.K. Employment Rights Bill nears passage
The U.K. Employment Rights Bill is expected to pass into law this year and will affect millions of workers. Compliance managers are advised to hone their understanding of HR and equality issues in preparation.
-
PremiumU.K. Employment Rights Bill promises to thwart forced labor through new consolidated regulator
For the past decade, the United Kingdom has tried to make companies more directly accountable for forced labor in their supply chains. But lawyers warn that the government’s latest plans to beef up protections against worker violations risk being heavily watered down and poorly policed by regulators.
-
PremiumU.K. Employment Rights Bill triggers debate over flexibility vs. exploitation
Contract workers’ rights are in the spotlight in the U.K. and some EU countries as governments seek to end exploitative practices by eliminating zero-hours contracts, much to the chagrin of some business leaders.
More from Regulatory Policy
-
ArticleU.K. listed companies must adapt to new sustainability reporting regime by 2027
Sustainability reporting rules for U.K. listed companies are set to change. The U.K. financial regulator has launched a consultation laying out its proposals, which aim to align the reporting regime with the international ISSB standards.
-
ArticleU.K. ‘buy now pay later’ regulation signals end of ‘Wild West’ fintech loans system
Firms offering “buy now, pay later” financing will become part of the regulated financial services sector in the U.K. from July 15. Compliance teams must act now to ensure they are ready to introduce rules and establish creditworthiness assessment processes, adapt systems, and change data processes before the deadline.
-
ArticleNew EU rules will force companies to come clean on pay
New rules that will be introduced this June will require companies based in the European Union (EU) to explain why some workers are paid more money for the same job and remedy any “unjustified” discrepancies.