Over the past few months, UK Government time and effort has been focused on dealing with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and on the effects of the war in Ukraine. As a consequence, we have seen little new employment regulation. While various consultations have suggested that a significant new Employment Act is in the offing, no such plans were introduced in the Queen's Speech in May 2022, and major changes are unlikely before summer 2023 at the earliest.

We have though, as always, seen significant developments in case law. The Employment Tribunal Service has adapted to a world in which online hearings commonly replace live courtroom sittings so that the number of cases being dealt with remains reasonably stable.

Unemployment remains low, so we are not seeing a big increase in the number of claims. If the economy tips into recession later in 2022, as many forecasters predict, this situation may change.