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<p>This Government has taken action to tackle the taxpayer-funded subsidies that previously
were handed to the trade unions. Such payments were poor value for money and represented
an unhealthy relationship between the state and voluntary sector.</p><p> </p><p>Trade
union activities and campaigning in the public sector should be funded by members'
subscriptions, not bankrolled by the taxpayer. Greater freedom from state dependency
will help ensure that trade union bosses better reflect and respond to the wishes
and views of the grassroots members who pay the bill.</p><p> </p><p>Following the
Cabinet Office review of the use of facility time and facilities in the civil service,
the Department for Communities and Local Government has made a series of reforms:</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><ul><li>Cutting back the guideline facility allocation to close
to private sector benchmarks;</li><li>All trade union representatives must now spend
the majority of their time in Civil Service roles – we no longer fund full-time “pilgrims”;</li><li>The
Department no longer provides any funding for staff to carry out trade union activities;</li><li>Tighter
controls have been implemented to prevent inappropriate use of departmental and office
facilities for campaigning purposes;</li><li>The check-off facility has been ended
for new entrants.</li></ul><p> </p><p>In 2013-14, the first year of the new regime,
departmental facility time staffing costs were reduced to £47,620. To place in context,
previous years were £153,814 in 2012-13, £140,687 in 2011-12, £177,100 in 2009-10
and £245,644 in 2008-09.</p><p> </p><p>Figures for our public bodies are shown in
the attached table, and show a total reduction of £222,303 in 2013-14 on the year
before. There are additional further sayings from a reduction in union expenses (now
zero across the Department and our public bodies).</p><p> </p><p>We have also issued
guidance to councils to follow our example in delivering sensible savings. We have
amended the local government Transparency Code to increase openness and accountability
over such taxpayer-funded payments to the trade unions.</p>
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