The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice, and by influencing policymakers.

Every Citizens Advice Bureau is a registered charity reliant on trained volunteers and funds to provide these vital services for local communities.

• Our service strategy 2008-2011

• About us

Citizens Advice response to Employment Bill second reading

14-07-2008

Teresa Perchard, Director of Public Policy, said:

“Citizens Advice welcomes and supports all the key provisions of this Bill. We believe the Bill will improve access to the employment tribunal system as well as significantly strengthen enforcement of both the National Minimum Wage and employment agency regulations.

However, we are disappointed that the Bill does not address a serious flaw in the employment tribunal system, which allows rogue employers to avoid paying tribunal awards made against them with virtual impunity.  

Every year, the 430 Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales alone deal with about 1,000 such cases of an unpaid employment tribunal award requiring enforcement action by the claimant.  Our research indicates that the total value of these unpaid awards is £4.5 million a year.

We would like to see the Bill amended so that it provides for unpaid tribunal awards (and settlements) to be enforced by the State, to ensure that all successful employment tribunal claimants actually receive the award made to them. Closing this loophole in the employment tribunal system is essential if the Government is to deliver on its promise to “root out the rogues” and is to the benefit of workers, taxpayers and law-abiding employers alike.”

Notes to editors:

1. The Citizens Advice service is a network of independent charities that helps people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more information in England and Wales see www.citizensadvice.org.uk
2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
3. Most Citizens Advice service staff are trained volunteers, working at over 3,300 locations across England and Wales.
4. Advice and information www.adviceguide.org.uk
5. Volunteer hotline 08451 264264 (local rate)
6. Citizens Advice Guide to your rights, second edition: January 2008 - over 600 pages of practical, independent CAB advice. An invaluable resource for any bookshelf - available from all good bookshops; price £11.99; ISBN: 9780141034089

  Back to top