TRIBUNAL FEES: JOHNSTONE SECURES SUPPORT FOR CAMPAIGN
Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian and a member of Holyrood's economy committee, today secured a pledge from Scottish ministers that they would put pressure on the UK Government to protest at employment tribunal fees.
The Coalition introduced fees of between £160 and £1,200 a year ago. Since then there has been an 80 per cent drop in the number of cases going before tribunals.
Today during Youth and Women's Employment Questions at Holyrood Alison Johnstone raised the issue with Cabinet Secretary Angela Constance.
Alison Johnstone MSP said:
"Access to justice and employment rights is incredibly important. The TUC have said women have been among the biggest losers of the introduction of employment tribunal fees.
"A year down the line we see equal pay claims have dropped and sex discrimination cases are down. I don’t believe there should be any fees, and I am pleased that Scottish ministers will make representations to the UK Government.
"I support the Law Society of Scotland’s call for a review of these patently unfair charges."
(Ends)
Lawyers urge rethink on employment tribunals after fee system leads to slump in number of cases (Daily Record):
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/business/business-news/lawyers-urge-rethink...