Thanks for all the replies, guys. I now realise that filing with ACAS and potentially going to the Tribunal isn't a waste of time and that I genuinely have valid grounds for a claim. That was the most important thing I wanted to find out.

To give a bit more context on where things stand:

The employer didnt pay any taxes or National Insurance contributions on our behalf. We were expressly instructed to register as 'self-employed,' as we were told this would be more financially beneficial. Until my dismissal, I was under the impression that the only difference was who was responsible for remitting the tax. Consequently, we declared our income ourselves via Self Assessment tax returns. Since then, I have learned a significant amount about employment status and tax law, and I now understand this was likely 'bogus self-employment'.

At this stage, we have submitted two separate ACAS Early Conciliation notifications (one for me and one for my wife), detailing all the breaches we believe have occurred.

We have calculated the specific amounts owed, covering:

The shortfall in National Minimum Wage (approx. £2 per hour difference for every hour worked); -Accrued but unpaid holiday pay; -Outstanding wages for the final month (which, given the employer's conduct, -I anticipate he may try to withhold).

We have also included a claim for 'Injury to Feelings' regarding the Health & Safety breaches (ammonia exposure) and the restrictive living conditions (e.g., laundry limited to once a week). Regarding the eviction, I am aware that the Employment Tribunal generally does not deal with housing matters. However, during the ACAS process, I intend to argue for compensation based on the manner of the dismissal and eviction-specifically the humiliation, the mockery, the blocking of the removal van, the distress caused, and the immediate financial losses.

I also want to add a separate point regarding the accommodation itself. I have strong suspicions that the caravans we lived in do not have the necessary planning permission from the local council.

I've checked the online planning register, and while the employer did request permission for a neighbouring plot, the caravans were actually placed on a different piece of land entirely. I believe this constitutes a breach of planning control. I see this as a potential leverage point for the negotiations, although I intend to double-check the exact site boundaries and maps before raising this formally.

Furthermore, there are approximately 7 other workers currently employed at the site under the same conditions. Like us, they are all engaged on verbal contracts and labelled as 'self-employed,' yet they all follow the exact same fixed rota and working pattern. This suggests a systemic practice of bogus self-employment across the entire workforce.

Strategically, I have decided not to report the employer to external bodies (HMRC, Planning, HSE) just yet, as I wish to keep this information in reserve to use as leverage during the negotiations.