Shorter Reads

Race Discrimination and Statistics – the story from the Employment Tribunal

1 minute read

Published 10 October 2017

Share

Key information

There’s been a lot in the news today about race and statistics. The Government has launched a website with the results of its race disparity audit. As employment lawyers, the Employment Tribunal statistics are obviously of particular interest to us – so what story do they tell?

In 2016 / 2017 there were 2,240 race discrimination claims issued in the Employment Tribunal. How does this compare to other types of discrimination? There are fewer claims than for age (7,500) and disability (4,000) and a lot fewer than sex (including equal pay and pregnancy – 20,000), but more than religion (400) and sexual orientation (200).

Race discrimination claims have dropped significantly since 2013, but this has little to do with improvements in equal opportunities. Fees were introduced to the Employment Tribunals in 2013 and there was a significant decrease in claims across the board. A recent Supreme Court decision abolished the fees, but that has not had time to be reflected in the available statistics.  However, we can expect the number of discrimination claims to increase this year, and the average number of race discrimination claims before the introduction of fees was 5,000 per year.

Do race claims normally succeed in the Employment Tribunal? No. Only 3% of issued claims go all the way to a final hearing and win. But an additional 36% of claims are settled somewhere before hearing – so that probably counts as a “win” for the Claimant. However, that still leaves a majority of claims that either fail at Tribunal, or get dropped somewhere along the way. This is not unique to race claims, the statistics are broadly similar to other types of discrimination claims. The only two that tend to succeed more often are disability (4% win, 42% settle) and pregnancy (6% win, 47% settle).

How much are race claims worth? So few cases actually get to the stage of an award that the annual statistics can be unreliable and thrown out by a single large award. Looking at an average from the last 10 years is more helpful, and this shows that race claims tend to be the most costly of all types of discrimination, with an average award of £26,900, compared to £21,900 for sex and £15,500 for age.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tribunals-statistics

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/race-disparity-audit-website-to-reveal-how-britain-is-divided-on-ethnic-lines_uk_59db9b6fe4b0b34afa5b1e9a

Related latest updates
PREV NEXT

Arrow Back to Insights

Shorter Reads

Race Discrimination and Statistics – the story from the Employment Tribunal

Published 10 October 2017

Associated sectors / services

There’s been a lot in the news today about race and statistics. The Government has launched a website with the results of its race disparity audit. As employment lawyers, the Employment Tribunal statistics are obviously of particular interest to us – so what story do they tell?

In 2016 / 2017 there were 2,240 race discrimination claims issued in the Employment Tribunal. How does this compare to other types of discrimination? There are fewer claims than for age (7,500) and disability (4,000) and a lot fewer than sex (including equal pay and pregnancy – 20,000), but more than religion (400) and sexual orientation (200).

Race discrimination claims have dropped significantly since 2013, but this has little to do with improvements in equal opportunities. Fees were introduced to the Employment Tribunals in 2013 and there was a significant decrease in claims across the board. A recent Supreme Court decision abolished the fees, but that has not had time to be reflected in the available statistics.  However, we can expect the number of discrimination claims to increase this year, and the average number of race discrimination claims before the introduction of fees was 5,000 per year.

Do race claims normally succeed in the Employment Tribunal? No. Only 3% of issued claims go all the way to a final hearing and win. But an additional 36% of claims are settled somewhere before hearing – so that probably counts as a “win” for the Claimant. However, that still leaves a majority of claims that either fail at Tribunal, or get dropped somewhere along the way. This is not unique to race claims, the statistics are broadly similar to other types of discrimination claims. The only two that tend to succeed more often are disability (4% win, 42% settle) and pregnancy (6% win, 47% settle).

How much are race claims worth? So few cases actually get to the stage of an award that the annual statistics can be unreliable and thrown out by a single large award. Looking at an average from the last 10 years is more helpful, and this shows that race claims tend to be the most costly of all types of discrimination, with an average award of £26,900, compared to £21,900 for sex and £15,500 for age.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tribunals-statistics

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/race-disparity-audit-website-to-reveal-how-britain-is-divided-on-ethnic-lines_uk_59db9b6fe4b0b34afa5b1e9a

Associated sectors / services

Need some more information? Make an enquiry below.

    Subscribe

    Please add your details and your areas of interest below

    Specialist sectors:

    Legal services:

    Other information:

    Jurisdictions of interest to you (other than UK):



    Enjoy reading our articles? why not subscribe to notifications so you’ll never miss one?

    Subscribe to our articles

    Message us on WhatsApp (calling not available)

    Please note that Collyer Bristow provides this service during office hours for general information and enquiries only and that no legal or other professional advice will be provided over the WhatsApp platform. Please also note that if you choose to use this platform your personal data is likely to be processed outside the UK and EEA, including in the US. Appropriate legal or other professional opinion should be taken before taking or omitting to take any action in respect of any specific problem. Collyer Bristow LLP accepts no liability for any loss or damage which may arise from reliance on information provided. All information will be deleted immediately upon completion of a conversation.

    I accept Close

    Close
    Scroll up
    ExpandNeed some help?Toggle

    < Back to menu

    I have an issue and need your help

    Scroll to see our A-Z list of expertise

    Get in touch

    Get in touch using our form below.



      Business Close
      Private Wealth Close
      Hot Topics Close