The UK employment tribunal system is buckling under a massive backlog. Active claims have ballooned to 515,000, with employment tribunal cases alone hitting 52,000. This crisis raises major questions about enforcing Labour's proposed Employment Rights Bill, which would grant new protections to millions.
Legal experts warn the system is at a breaking point, with some regions scheduling hearings for 2028. Unfair dismissals made up the biggest chunk of new claims last quarter, followed by disability discrimination and wage disputes. The pending bill could worsen this drastically, extending unfair dismissal rights to an estimated six million more workers by shortening the service requirement.
Business groups previously fought the bill, arguing that unlimited compensation awards would further clog the courts. While they now want it passed for certainty, concerns remain about overwhelming the tribunals. This logjam coincides with a cooling job market, where new vacancies have recently declined. The core issue is clear: expanded worker rights could become meaningless if the system meant to enforce them is already collapsing.
Legal experts warn the system is at a breaking point, with some regions scheduling hearings for 2028. Unfair dismissals made up the biggest chunk of new claims last quarter, followed by disability discrimination and wage disputes. The pending bill could worsen this drastically, extending unfair dismissal rights to an estimated six million more workers by shortening the service requirement.
Business groups previously fought the bill, arguing that unlimited compensation awards would further clog the courts. While they now want it passed for certainty, concerns remain about overwhelming the tribunals. This logjam coincides with a cooling job market, where new vacancies have recently declined. The core issue is clear: expanded worker rights could become meaningless if the system meant to enforce them is already collapsing.
