§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment when she consulted trades unions about her proposal to end funding of postal ballots and to drop funding of training through the Trades Union Congress.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythTrade unions have been given as much notice as possible of the decision to end public subsidy of trade union ballots and training of officials, and the grants are being phased out gradually to allow the trade unions time to adjust and plan accordingly. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State wrote to the general secretary of the TUC to inform him of the decision on 10 December and met him and other representatives of the TUC on 14 December to listen to their views on this matter.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment when she decided to end funding for trade union ballots and training; and how much expenditure she expects to save.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe final decision to end public subsidy for trade union ballots and the training of officials was taken after this years Autumn Statement. Expenditure for the two schemes together will amount to some £5.6 million in 1992–93. Full savings will not be made immediately, as the schemes in question are being phased out over three years.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what the cost has been each year to public funds of trade union ballots and of trade union training.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe information requested is set out in the table.
Cost to Public Funds of Trade Union ballots and of Trade Union Training Expenditure (£000s) Financial Year Trade Union Education and Training Grant (TUET) Trade Union Ballot Funding Scheme (TUBFS) 1976–77 400 — 1977–78 641 — 1978–79 627 — 1979–80 1,871 — 1980–81 1,701 — 1981–82 1,872 13 1982–83 1,633 52 1983–84 1,586 60 1984–85 1,583 73 1985–86 1,753 1,681 1986–87 1,774 599 1987–88 457 1,126 1988–89 1,064 808 1989–90 1,825 2,091 1990–91 1,927 2,933 1991–92 2,022 4,682 11992–93 1,978 3,600 1 (anticipated). Notes:
1. All figures rounded to nearest £1,000.
2. The Trade Union Education and Training grant was funded jointly by Department of Employment and Department of Education and Science (DES) until, and including, 1987–88. Figures quoted for the relevant years cover total Government expenditure.
3. All details of Department of Employment payments were taken from the Departments Appropriation Account for the relevant year. Details of DES TUET expenditure were provided by the DES.
4. TUET payments began in 1976–77, and TUBFS payments in 1981–82.