Trade Unions: Finance

Mr. Maude
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether trades union members who opt out of the union’s political fund are charged the cost of the political fund contribution when they pay their union subscription.

Mr. McFadden
Where trade union members opt out of contributing to their union’s political fund, the union must ensure they do not make payments into the political fund via a separate political levy or via other subscription payments to the union. It is also unlawful for a union to penalise individuals who opt out by excluding them from any benefit, or by directly or indirectly placing them at a disability or disadvantage (except in relation to the control or management of the political fund).