The quarterly statistics for the employment tribunal between January and March 2021 has been published and includes the following data:
- There have been 13% less single claims in this quarter (totalling 9,100 claims) compared with the same quarterly period in 2020.
- Due to the impact of COVID-19 on unemployment and changing working practices, there are 44,000 unresolved cases (and rising) which has surpassed the peak from 2009-2010.
- The number of multiple claims increased by 14% compared with the same quarterly period in 2020, and there were 13% more unresolved cases. This rise is expected to continue, especially once the furlough scheme ends on 30 September 2021.
- 22% less claims (11,000) were disposed of by the tribunals, compared with the same quarterly period in 2020. Almost a quarter of these disposals (24%) were due to Acas conciliated settlements, while 18% were withdrawn by claimants and 17% were thereafter dismissed. 11% of these claims succeeded at hearing and only 9% were struck out not at hearing. Of the disposals, most were for unfair dismissal claims, compared with the same quarterly period in 2020, when unauthorised deductions from wages was the most common claim to be disposed of.
