EMPLOYMENT LEGISLATION

TRADE UNION POLITICAL FUNDS PL868 (REV3)

Contents

	Introduction
	Setting up a political fund
	Operating a political fund
	"Contracting out" of a political fund
	Reviewing the political fund
	Unlawful expenditure on political objects
	Independent scrutiny of political fund ballots
	The independent person
	Duty of confidentiality
	APPENDIX 1: List of bodies specified to be independent scrutineers
	APPENDIX 2: General qualifying conditions for independent scrutineers
	APPENDIX 3: Certification Officer

Introduction

A trade union wishing to spend money on party political activities must set up a separate political fund for financing any such expenditure. Trade unions must comply with certain statutory requirements in setting up and running such funds and union members have certain rights in relation to these requirements.

In particular, no member is obliged to contribute to a union's political fund.

This document is designed to give trade unions, their members and others a general understanding of the relevant statutory requirements, and rights given to members. It gives general guidance only and is not a substitute for professional legal advice. Authoritative interpretations of the law can only be given by the courts.

The contents of this document apply equally to men and to women but, for simplicity, the masculine pronoun is used throughout. "Court" means the High Court in England and Wales and the Court of Session in Scotland, except where otherwise indicated.

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Last updated 31 October 2000