Contractors and other professionals are becoming increasingly aware of their employment rights, according to one expert.

Paul Quinn, an employment solicitor at Stephensons Solicitors LLP, said that information on employment law is now easy to find.

He added that the rise in redundancy claims could lead to an increase in other tribunal cases.

"Even if an employer dismisses someone for redundancy and has gone down the correct procedural route, even though it is a 'fair dismissal', sometimes irrespective of how fair the process is the employee may still feel aggrieved and they would like to hold their former employer to account," he added.

Meanwhile, the BBC has reported that around 900 jobs may be lost from Aberdeen City Council, with three rounds already having looked for voluntary severance or early retirement as the organisation needs to make savings.

According to leader John Stewart, the council feels that working from year to year is now inappropriate, given the current public sector challenges.