Jesse tables Bill to end taxpayer funding of Unions

Jesse Norman MP made his first direct foray into legislation last week, presenting a Ten Minute Rule Bill to end taxpayer funding of trade unions.

In his speech, Jesse explained that many trade unions did very good work. But he said the unions currently receive £113 million a year from the taxpayer, to pay for the equivalent of over 2,800 union reps who only work for the unions. This was unaccountable and non-transparent. He argued that taxpayers' money should be spent delivering front line services, and not subsidising the trade unions.

Speaking after the debate, Jesse said:

"Many people are unaware of this issue, and how it affects them nationally and locally. For example, last year HM Revenue and Customs paid the equivalent of 181 full time staff solely to perform trade union duties, despite having all but shut down our local tax office in Hereford only three years ago.

"It is quite wrong that my constituents should be subsidising union reps in the Revenue when local services have been cut back so much--let alone at such a difficult economic time.

"My Bill was an attempt to open up this debate, and get more money into the front line of our public services, where we really need it.

"The Bill got a great deal of support in the Chamber, with one of the highest votes in favour on a private member's bill recently. It was only defeated after the Opposition heavily whipped its MPs to vote against it. But the Prime Minister has expressed his support and I am hopeful that there will be progress on this issue in due course."

| Read full speech in Hansard here

| View speech here