The ceiling for compensation for unfair dismissal went up on 25 October from £12,000 to £50,000. Average awards at the moment are well under the £12,000 ceiling, so the change will affect mainly cases involving senior, higher-paid employees.

Employees bringing equal pay claims may also be in line for much more compensation in the future, following a ruling by the Employment Appeal Tribunal extending the two-year limit for backdating such claims to six years.