Employment tribunal claims soared by 56% in 2009/10 compared to the previous year, according to Tribunal Service statistics.

Actions brought by multiple claimants, mostly unions, rocketed by nearly 90%. These included 10,600 claims brought on behalf of airline pilots in ­relation to the working time directive.

The figures also showed a 14% rise in single claims overall. Claims for redundancy pay almost doubled to 19,000, while breach of contract claims rose 29% to 42,400, and unfair dismissal complaints rose 9% to 57,400.

Claims for discrimination on grounds of race, religion, disability or sexual orientation all increased, but sex discrimination claims fell slightly.

National firm Eversheds employment partner Adam Warnock said that, following a large number of private sector claims, more were now expected in the public sector.