Since 2021/22, disability discrimination disputes have risen 156% and tribunal claims 95%.
Disability discrimination: Acas notifications and tribunal claims
Disputes notified to AcasTribunal claims
The fastest-growing major ground of employment dispute, and most begin where there is no system for reasonable adjustments.
40,480 claims reached the tribunal in 2025/26, and 1/3 cite disability discrimination.
A record kept at the time reads as evidence, one assembled afterwards reads as a defence.
Disability discrimination is the second most cited claim at the employment tribunal.
Jurisdictions cited across 40,480 claims
A single claim can cite more than one ground, so the bars do not sum to the claim total.
It is cited more often than race and sex discrimination combined.
An effective process costs as little as £75 an adjustment. A vulnerable one costs £5,000 a claim, and the award has no ceiling.
Disability discrimination awards, 2023/24
Median award£17,218
Average award£44,483
Statutory capNone
Making an adjustment
Average adjustment, Acas estimate£75
Defending a claim
Legal fees, median£5,000
Management timeNine days
Ministry of Justice, 2023/24, the latest year published. Acas guidance: the average adjustment can be as little as £75, and many are free. Survey of Employment Tribunal Applications, 2018, median among employers who paid.
From 1 October, an employee has twice as long to decide.
Time limit for bringing a claim to the employment tribunal increases from 3 to 6 months.
Unfair dismissal qualifying period cut to 6 months. Compensatory award cap removed.
An employer's records now have to survive twice as long.
Sources
Check the figures.
Every figure in this film has a published primary source. Check them.
