Unions won a record £14.3m for their members at employment tribunals this year, according to a report.

The TUC report says the bigger payouts follow an increase in the general level of compensation payments.

But unions also won or reached a compromise agreement in more than nine out of 10 cases, according to its research.

Sex discrimination cases were among their biggest successes. Average payouts were more than £9,000, which represents a rise of £2,000 on the previous year.

Redundancy awards jumped from £3,000 in 1998 to more than £7,000 this year.

However, unfair dismissal payouts fell from £5,300 to £4,500.

Workers backed by their union won "significantly higher" compensation than those who went it alone, said the TUC.

Highest payouts recorded this year included £500,000 for race discrimination and £300,000 for wrongful dismissal.

TUC general secretary John Monks said: "Unions clearly are the experts when it comes to winning cash for members who have been treated badly."

BBC correspondent Stephen Evans says the payouts are likely to rise still further.

There are some claims in the pipeline from very high earners in the city of London, he said.

"Compensation for unfair treatment is often based on lost earning so payouts may go up further - and high payouts generate publicity which generate more claims".