New Clause 5
Employment Bill [Lords]
3:30 pm
Jonathan Djanogly (Shadow Minister, Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform; Huntingdon, Conservative)
As my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton, South said, the number of cases grows more significant. The number of vexatious cases is rising—of course, not all claims are vexatious and I am sorry if I gave that impression during my earlier remarks. As the Minister rightly said, there are powers to make cost orders and to have deposits paid, but in reality the tribunals do not use those powers to the extent that they should. The Minister says that his reforms will clear up the problem. If they work, they may simplify the system and hopefully that will reduce the level of cost. However, I do not see how they will stop the vexatious claimant. This is a huge area of concern for business, and from what the Minister says, I do not feel that he has reflected on the frustrations felt by businesses about what exists out there. I appreciate that the drafting of the new clause may not be perfect, and I will withdraw it on the basis that I may return to it at a later stage. I therefore beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion.