This Order increases, from 6th April 2026, the limits applying to certain awards which Employment Tribunals can make, and other sums payable under employment legislation, as specified in the Schedule to this Order.

Under section 34(2) of the Employment Relations Act 1999 (“the 1999 Act”), if the retail prices index for September of a year is higher or lower than the index for the previous September, the Secretary of State is required to change the specified sums, by Order, by the percentage of the increase or decrease (rounded up or down as specified in section 34(3) of the 1999 Act). The increases made by this Order reflect the increase in the retail prices index of 4.5% from September 2024 to September 2025.

The increases apply where the event giving rise to the entitlement to compensation or other payment, or as relevant, the date proceedings were begun, occurred on or after 6th April 2026. The sums previously in force under the Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/348) are preserved by article 4 of this Order in relation to cases where the relevant event was before 6th April 2026.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this Order because section 34 of the 1999 Act provides for indexation according to a pre-determined formula linked to the retail prices index.