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<p>[holding answer 20 March 2014]</p><p>The Department did not provide specific funding
for staff to carry out trade union activities in 2011, 2012 or 2013.</p><p> </p><p>Information
on the amount of paid time spent on trade union activities by staff who are union
representatives has only been centrally recorded since November 2012. Between November
2012 and September 2013 our central records show that 1,345 paid days were spent by
union representatives on such activities. These central records are based on returns
submitted by union representatives to account for the time they have spent on their
union roles. Information on the amount of paid time spent on trade union activities
prior to November 2012 could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>Since
October 2013 the Department has not permitted members of staff elected as union representatives
to be granted paid facility time for any trade union activities and in future will
only grant paid facility time for such activities in exceptional circumstances and
with approval from the Secretary of State. In line with our legal obligations members
of staff elected as union representatives are able to request time away from their
work to undertake trade union activities but any time off granted for this purpose
will be unpaid.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
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