CAC Annual Report 2025-26

CAC Annual Report 2025-26
Publication of the CAC's Annual Report for 2025-26.
Today the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) has published its Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 2026. The Report includes reference to the amendments that have taken place in the Employment Rights Bill which affects Schedule A1 and the new measures heading the CAC’s way. The Report reflects on the increase in the caseload for trade union recognition applications under Part 1 of Schedule A1. This increased from 63 applications last year to 76, a 21% increase.
The statistics relating to the CAC’s various jurisdictions are all featured in the Annual Report, with statutory recognition continuing to provide the majority of the workload (76 applications for trade union recognition under Part 1 of the Schedule).
When reviewing the average time taken for the conclusion of a part I statutory recognition case from inception (date the application is received) to conclusion (date of issue of a declaration of recognition or non-recognition), the time taken was 25 weeks, which is slightly higher than the previous year’s figure of 22 weeks.
The CAC has done exceptionally well in maintaining its high level of customer satisfaction, with 96% of respondents stating their overall satisfaction with the way the CAC handled their case.
Notes for Editors:
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The CAC is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) resourced by Acas but operating independently. The CAC’s main role is dealing with requests for trade union recognition and derecognition under the statutory procedures of Schedule A1 to the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. Each recognition case is handled by a tripartite panel, with members drawn from employer and union backgrounds and a panel chair (usually a lawyer or senior academic).
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The CAC also determines disclosure of information complaints under the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (Section 183) and deals with disputes under the Regulations relating to the European Works Councils. It also handles applications and complaints under the Information and Consultation Regulations 2004. In addition, it provides voluntary arbitration in collective employment relations disputes, although this role has not been required for some years.
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The CAC Chair is Stephen Redmond.
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Details of applications received by the CAC, decisions taken, and forthcoming hearings, can be found on the CAC’s website www.cac.gov.uk.
Central Arbitration Committee
PO Box 80600, London, E15 9JX
0330 109 3610