UK Employment Tribunal Claims Hit Record Levels in 2025
This article applies to England, Wales and Scotland.
Important: This guide provides information about UK employment law. It is not legal advice. Every situation is different. If you are dealing with a workplace dispute, consider speaking to a solicitor for advice specific to your circumstances.
In brief: UK employment tribunal single claims reached 9,131 in Q2 2025/26 (July to September 2025), a 57% increase on the same quarter the previous year. The open caseload for single claims now stands at over 25,000, having grown 234% in twelve months. The average claimant brings 2.2 separate complaints per claim.
Last updated: February 2026
If you are dealing with a workplace issue right now, you are far from alone. Tribunal claim numbers have surged over the past year, with thousands more workers taking action over unfair treatment, unpaid wages, and discrimination. This guide breaks down the latest official data so you can see where things stand and what it could mean for your situation.
The figures come from the Ministry of Justice's Employment Tribunal Statistics, specifically the Reform system data covering single claims accepted between Q2 2024/25 and Q2 2025/26.
How many tribunal claims are being filed?
Employment tribunal single claims have risen sharply over five consecutive quarters:
| Quarter | Single claims filed | Jurisdictional complaints | Mean complaints per claim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q2 2024/25 (Jul–Sep 2024) | 5,806 | 12,952 | 2.2 |
| Q3 2024/25 (Oct–Dec 2024) | 6,472 | 14,319 | 2.2 |
| Q4 2024/25 (Jan–Mar 2025) | 7,520 | 16,864 | 2.2 |
| Q1 2025/26 (Apr–Jun 2025) | 8,991 | 20,264 | 2.3 |
| Q2 2025/26 (Jul–Sep 2025) | 9,131 | 20,151 | 2.2 |
That Q2 2025/26 figure of 9,131 single claims represents a 57% increase compared to Q2 2024/25, when 5,806 claims were filed.
Each claim typically contains more than one complaint. The average across all five quarters is 2.2 jurisdictional complaints per claim. Most claimants raise multiple legal issues: unfair dismissal alongside unpaid wages, or discrimination combined with a breach of contract.
What are the most common claim types?
Unfair dismissal dominates. In Q2 2025/26, the ten most common jurisdictional complaints were:
| Claim type | Q2 2025/26 complaints | Share of claims | Year-on-year change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unfair dismissal | 4,766 | 52% | +68% |
| Disability discrimination | 2,987 | 33% | +80% |
| Unauthorised deductions (wages) | 2,460 | 27% | +53% |
| Breach of contract | 1,631 | 18% | -4% |
| Public interest disclosure (whistleblowing) | 1,546 | 17% | +104% |
| Working Time Directive | 1,503 | 16% | +58% |
| Race discrimination | 1,276 | 14% | +60% |
| Sex discrimination | 1,176 | 13% | +65% |
| Redundancy pay | 620 | 7% | +68% |
| Age discrimination | 561 | 6% | +51% |
Because claimants often bring more than one complaint, these percentages add up to more than 100%.
Three trends stand out. Whistleblowing claims have more than doubled year-on-year, rising 104% from 758 to 1,546 complaints. Disability discrimination claims grew 80%, making it the second most common complaint type. Breach of contract is the only major claim type that declined, falling 4%.
The backlog: over 25,000 open cases
New claims are being filed much faster than existing ones are resolved. The open caseload for single claims on the Reform system grew from 7,571 in Q2 2024/25 to 25,267 in Q2 2025/26, a 234% increase in twelve months.
| Claim type | Open cases Q2 2024/25 | Open cases Q2 2025/26 | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| All single claims | 7,571 | 25,267 | +234% |
| Unfair dismissal | 3,758 | 13,298 | +254% |
| Disability discrimination | 2,359 | 8,549 | +262% |
| Breach of contract | 2,221 | 6,584 | +196% |
| Unauthorised deductions | 2,020 | 6,504 | +222% |
| Whistleblowing | 1,080 | 4,298 | +298% |
| Race discrimination | 1,096 | 4,175 | +281% |
The whistleblowing backlog grew fastest at 298%, followed by race discrimination at 281% and disability discrimination at 262%.
Claims filed are outpacing claims resolved, which means longer waiting times. The mean clearance time across all single claims is currently 28 weeks, though it varies significantly by claim type.
Why are claims rising?
Several factors appear to be driving the increase. Economic pressures have led to more redundancies and restructuring, which often triggers disputes. Greater awareness of employment rights, particularly around discrimination and whistleblowing, may also play a role.
The Employment Rights Act 2025, which received Royal Assent on 18 December 2025, is expected to increase claims further. Key changes include reducing the unfair dismissal qualifying period from two years to six months (expected January 2027), extending tribunal time limits from three months to six months (expected October 2026), and removing the cap on unfair dismissal compensation.
According to government estimates, an additional six million workers could gain the right to bring unfair dismissal claims once the qualifying period change takes effect.
What this means if you have a workplace issue
More people than ever are taking formal action over workplace problems, and the system is under significant strain.
If you are considering your options, a few things are worth knowing. Time limits still apply: most claims must begin with ACAS early conciliation within three months minus one day of the issue. The backlog does not extend your deadline.
Most claims never reach a full hearing. According to the latest disposal data, around 84% of claims are resolved through ACAS conciliation, withdrawal, or settlement before a tribunal hearing takes place.
Starting with a clear understanding of your rights and the strength of your position can make a significant difference, whether you end up settling, going to tribunal, or resolving things informally. For complex cases involving discrimination or whistleblowing, you may want to speak with a solicitor.
For guidance on your specific situation, including eligibility and next steps, try our free assessment. Learn more about our claims packages, or create a free account to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many employment tribunal claims were filed in 2025?
In Q2 2025/26 (July to September 2025), 9,131 single claims were filed, a 57% increase on the same quarter the previous year. Across the full 2024/25 financial year, approximately 42,000 single claims were received.
What is the most common type of employment tribunal claim?
Unfair dismissal is the most common, accounting for 52% of all single claims in Q2 2025/26, with 4,766 complaints filed. Disability discrimination is second at 33%, followed by unauthorised deductions from wages at 27%.
How long is the employment tribunal backlog?
The open caseload for single claims reached 25,267 at the end of Q2 2025/26, a 234% increase in twelve months. The mean time to clear a case is currently 28 weeks across all claim types.
What is the fastest growing type of tribunal claim?
Whistleblowing (public interest disclosure) claims grew 104% year-on-year, from 758 to 1,546 complaints in Q2 2025/26. No other major claim type grew at even close to that rate.
Will the Employment Rights Act 2025 increase tribunal claims?
It is expected to. The reduction in the unfair dismissal qualifying period from two years to six months (expected January 2027) could bring an estimated six million additional workers within scope. Extended time limits and removal of the compensation cap may also lead to more claims.
How many complaints does the average tribunal claim include?
The average claimant brings 2.2 jurisdictional complaints per claim. Most people raise more than one legal issue: unfair dismissal alongside breach of contract, or discrimination combined with unauthorised deductions from wages.
Sources
- "Employment Tribunal Statistics, Tables ET_1_R, ET_2_R, ET_4_R", Ministry of Justice / HM Courts & Tribunals Service, 2025 — https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tribunals-statistics
- "Tribunal Statistics Quarterly: January to March 2025", Ministry of Justice, 2025 — https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tribunals-statistics-quarterly-january-to-march-2025/tribunal-statistics-quarterly-january-to-march-2025
- Employment Rights Act 2025 — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025
- "Employment Rights Act 2025", ACAS — https://www.acas.org.uk/employment-rights-bill