Dismissal during maternity leave - what should I do

HI,

I am curently on my Maternity Leave. I've got a problem with my employer, but maybe I will write my story in full.
I work in a small employment agency where is only 2 bosses and me- I started in 2008 as temporary worker and in November 2009 I was offerred Full time permanent job in this agency office as an Recruitment Consultant, actually I run this office and deal with companies and workers.
I asked for a contract but I was told by the boss that letter he sent me as a confirmation of my employment is enough and it's a form of a contact and I don't need a paper contract with all details. I didn't asked for in any more I was sure it's enough. He was always fair to me with payments, holidays etc.
In middle of January 2010 I discovered I'm pregnant and I told it to my boss straight away. It was exactly 15 weeks before my due date.
He was not very happy but I was working for the next few months and went for maternity leave 8 weeks before the due date. There is one lady who is covering me.
My OML is finising on 12.09.2010 and I wrote to employer in July that I'm coming back on 13.09.2010 giving him more that 8 weeks notice. He told me that his glad I'm coming back and is hope to see me in September.
Few days ago he wanted to see me to tell me that things go wrong and they lost the main company so there is not much job, their situation is very bad and they have to reduce my job, because they cannot afford me. The lady covering me is not working any more and there's no other job they can offer me and I will receive 2 week's redundancy pay, holiday entitlement and my maternity pay till the end of 39 weeks. ( It's about £1700 + maternity pay)
It was ok for me and I gave them a call yesterday that I agree and was told money will be ready next week.
Today I found out that they lied to me - they didn't lose this company, they still send people to work there and the lady who is covering me is still working there ( she sent me my payslips by post today).
So, reduction of my job is not the reason they dismiss me. My job is still there.
What should I do now?
Should I got to the court? I don't have any contract I've got only letter confirming I work for them and the letter which my main chief gave me before I started job.
Thank you in advance for answers.

You need to appeal your redundancy on the grounds that there is not a genuine redundancy situation and assuming you feel you were dismissed as a result of taking maternity leave, that they have discriminated against you.

I would suggest you take some legal advice to make sure you put together your appeal correctly, quoting the correct legislation. If they refuse your appeal your next step would be an Employment Tribunal and I would strongly suggest you need a solicitor for that anyway.

You may have legal cover with your house insurance so that's worth checking.