Business secretary Vince Cable has clashed with the Conservative Secretary of State for Justice over a fall in the number of sexual discrimination cases being heard at employment tribunals.
In July 2013, fees of up to £1,250 were introduced by the coalition for any employment tribunal, to appease those in the private sector who called for an end to the number of elaborated or false claims that cost the taxpayer thousands in unnecessary legal fees.
Mr Cable, a Liberal Democrat, has ordered his own investigation to be conducted into whether or not the Government’s new fees are responsible for preventing people from seeking justice.
Recently released Ministry of Justice (MoJ) figures show a fall in the number of sex discrimination cases taken to employment tribunals from 6,310 during April, May and June 2013, to 591 during the same three-month period last year.
However, though the 2014 figure shows a 90 per cent fall from the previous year, the claimant success rate has not significantly changed.
When the coalition first introduced the fees they were welcomed by employers, but the Citizens Advice Bureau has criticised them as yet another hurdle for those workers with employment issues who are being forced to save – often for months – before they can afford them.
In order to support those affected, wider promotion of the financial support on offer has been called for, with Citizens Advice also asking the Government to adjust tribunal fees to be more in line with county court charges.