Should I inform a new employer My contract was terminated in my last job

Basically in my last job as a retail assistant I was let go of, sacked to put it bluntly. Everything was going fine until they wanted to reduce my hours and I stated that I'd have to quit if my hours were reduced (I was only on a 12 hour contract and got no overtime ever). I should have quit right there and then because they hung onto me for another 2 month and then sacked me in the same week I was going to hand my notice in. Tbh their excuses were feeble and they even made up false accusations e.g. Accidentally bumping into a customers once, leaving the shop floor unattended etc. I was completely professional at all times, never once left the shop floor unattended and I was even blamed for things I hadn't done, like cleaning shelves with the wrong cleaning product and not emptying the bins. They still blamed me until the person who did it actually came forward and said it wasn't her it was me. There was other silly excuses they used as well. So basically to me and my friends who have worked in retail for years; it was unfair dismissal. But hey-Ho.

So my question is on application forms do I have to let them know I was sacked? Or is that for my discretion only? Also if a new employer was to ask what happened in my old job; am I better off saying I quit or that I was let go of and it was unfair dismissal even though I never took Legal action against them (Because it wasn't worth my time to do so). Also because they are my reference (I have no other choice as it was my first job) if a new employer was to contact them, are they allowed to say I was sacked? Really need advice on this matter.

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Absolutely DO NOT offer the information that you were sacked. Never, ever offer that information.

However, you cannot lie, so do not give any other reason for leaving

On application forms, just ignore the question.

On a reference, yes, they can say you were sacked, and if they think it is material to the next employer to know, they are obliged to say so. You usually would say on a reference if you had sacked someone.

If the new employer asks, do not give any of the reasons/excuses you have given above, just say your hours were reduced and you need to find a job more like this one (ie bring the subject back to the job you are applying for now).

As you note, that is why you should always start applying for new jobs when the relationship deteriorates with your employer, jump before you are pushed and none of these difficult situations arise.

You’ll only need to give them that info if they ask why you left the previous place.

Yeah I thought as much, but I think if they ask on an application form Im better off ignoring it, but if they were to ask in person-Then I'm better off just saying they wanted to reduce my hours and then terminated my contract because I'd rather be truthful, just in case my last employer does mention my contract was terminated in a reference.

Hi, if they ask for it on an application form and you don’t answer truthfully then if they ever do find out they will be able to fire you without any difficulty, however if you were up front from the start then you’re protected.

Except that if you are up front, you are very unlikely to get an interview for an entry level or early career job where there are plenty of other competitive applicants without a dismissal on their record. Hence the best action is to ignore the question completely. Same goes for questions about past salaries. There is no need to give information that will disadvantage yoru application, you just have to be honest about what you do say.

It's deceptive to just ignore the question if it is asked on a form, its an obvious attempt at trying to pull the wool over..

No it's not, employers are perfectly well aware what the best practice in recruitment is, and questions about reasons for leaving and salary are entirely there to suit the employer. They know they are chancing it and they know it's perfectly legitimate not to answer.

I disagree

That's fine, you can reject the OPs application when they apply to a job you are offering.