The government estimates that these changes will ultimately deliver direct net savings to business of more than £10 million a year with wider benefits to employers estimated at more than £40 million a year.

The Government has streamlined employment tribunals to cut unnecessary demands on employers, and encourage growth, while safeguarding workers’ rights including:-

• The qualifying period for claiming unfair dismissal will rise from one to two years
  
• Judges will be able to sit alone in unfair dismissal cases
  
• Witness statements can be provided in writing as opposed to the current rules where a witness reads their own statement out aloud
  
• The maximum level for costs awarded to businesses winning a vexatious tribunal claim will rise from £10,000 to £20,000. Deposit orders required by claimants when a judge determines that a part of claim is unmerited will increase from £500 to £1,000.

Also from Friday, the government intends to publish the average value of awards and time taken to reach a hearing. Included in the guidance for tribunal application and response forms, this information will provide all parties with a greater understanding about what to expect from the tribunal process before they enter the system.