David Lammy, the UK justice secretary, has announced that the government will not reintroduce fees for individuals seeking to take their employers to employment tribunals. This decision follows significant backlash from trade unions regarding previously considered proposals to impose charges as part of ongoing spending review negotiations.
Last week, it was reported that the Ministry of Justice was contemplating a system where workers would have to pay a fee to file claims against employers. Union representatives responded negatively, branding the idea as a “disaster.” Initially, the Ministry did not dismiss the proposal, stating that decisions on spending and fees were still in progress after this summer’s review.
In a recent statement, Lammy emphasized the principle that access to justice should be available to everyone, regardless of income. He reiterated the government’s commitment to maintain free access to employment tribunals, which he characterized as crucial not only for individual rights but also for the government’s broader economic strategy.
Historically, employment claims were free to file after the establishment of the tribunal system in the 1960s, but a fee system was introduced by the coalition government in 2013. This fee structure was later ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court in 2017, following a case brought by the Unison trade union.
Paul Nowak, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), welcomed Lammy’s announcement, stating that financial barriers should not prevent workers from asserting their rights. He highlighted previous complications in the tribunal system and mentioned a readiness from unions to collaborate with the government to enhance the fairness and accessibility of the system.
The Labour Party’s employment rights bill is expected to introduce substantial changes to workers’ rights, which unions support. However, some business organizations have expressed concerns that these changes may increase hiring costs and lead to a higher number of tribunal cases.
Amid an increasing backlog of cases, which numbered around 45,000 at the end of March, the Ministry of Justice has begun efforts to recruit additional tribunal judges to alleviate these delays.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/oct/08/david-lammy-rules-out-charging-workers-for-employment-tribunal-claims