Move to claw back union cash defeated

MPs have blocked a move that would have forced trade unions to repay millions of pounds of taxpayers’ cash.

Conservative MP Jesse Norman wanted unions to refund £113 million a year their officials earned from the state while taking part in union activities.

But Labour said union representatives improved workplace health and safety, helped negotiate pay deals and ultimately saved the state money.

Mr Norman (Hereford and South Herefordshire) told the Commons there were 2,840 such officials, adding: “That is equivalent to 2,840 workers whose work has to be done by others. Those are teachers who are not teaching, nurses who are not working and social workers who are not assisting their clients.”

Denying his ten-minute rule bill was an attack on unions, he demanded repayment and said it was unfair that taxpayers should pay for unions’ work. The issue here is one of basic principle,” he said.

Labour MP John Healey, a former shadow health secretary, accused Mr Norman of targeting “the most basic, most benign feature of trade union work – the day-to-day support for staff at work, by their colleagues”.

Mr Healey branded the bill “a cheap shot” at representatives who performed “difficult, demanding work” – and claimed Mr Norman’s plan was based on “ignorance, ideology and inaccurate briefings from the Taxpayers’ Alliance”.

The bill was defeated by 211 votes to 132, a majority of 79.