Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an assessment of whether the level of tribunal fees acts as a disincentive to women bringing a sex discrimination claim.

Fees were introduced in Employment Tribunals on 29 July 2013 to reduce the burden on the taxpayer and to encourage parties to use alternative methods for resolving disputes. It is not the Government’s intention to deter anyone from bringing a valid claim to the tribunals.

The Government has committed to carry out a comprehensive review of the introduction of Employment Tribunal fees. An announcement on the scope and timing of the review will be made in due course.