There has been a consistent rise in the number of employment tribunals over the past decade, and the number of tribunals has accelerated considerably since 2008/09, the first full tax year since the start of the current economic crisis. Between 2008/09 and 2010/11, the most recent figures, there has been a rise of 44%.

The government, and specifically Vince Cable, the business secretary, clearly thinks this is a major issue for employers saying that it deters them from hiring staff, and he is currently calling for the maximum £72,300 award for unfair dismissal to be cut significantly.