OpenConsultation consultationoutcome

Make Work Pay: draft code of practice on electronic and workplace balloting for statutory union ballots

From:
Department for Business and Trade
Published
19 November 2025
Last updated
22 June 2026 — See all updates
This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Government response to the consultation on the draft code of practice on electronic and workplace balloting for statutory union ballots

PDF, 483 KB, 52 pages

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Draft code of practice on electronic and workplace balloting for statutory trade union ballots

PDF, 534 KB, 42 pages

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Electronic and workplace balloting: impact assessment

PDF, 495 KB, 39 pages

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Detail of outcome

This consultation sought views on the clarity and accessibility of the draft statutory code of practice on electronic and workplace balloting for trade union ballots. The government is grateful to all those who took the time to respond.

The consultation received 69 responses from a range of stakeholders, including:

  • employers
  • trade unions
  • business representative organisations
  • academics
  • legal experts
  • local government bodies

Responses were carefully considered and helped inform revisions to the draft code of practice. This government response explains the changes made and the reasons for them.

The revised draft code of practice was laid in Parliament on 22 June 2026 alongside the secondary legislation allowing electronic and workplace balloting for statutory trade union ballots. Subject to approval by both Houses, the code is expected to come into force in August 2026.

Original consultation

Summary

We are consulting on a draft code of practice on electronic and workplace balloting for statutory trade union ballots.

This consultation closesran atfrom
to

Consultation description

The government will introduce a new statutory code of practice on electronic and workplace balloting to accompany the introduction of these methods for statutory union ballots. This new code will provide practical information on the conduct of these ballots.

It will include:

  • requirements on each party involved in a statutory union ballot to ensure a ballot meets the required standards
  • factors to be considered when choosing a voting method
  • good practice in the conduct of statutory union ballots using these new voting methods  

This consultation invites views from all interested parties to ensure this new code of practice is clear and balanced.

Documents

Consultation on draft code of practice on electronic and workplace balloting for statutory union ballots

PDF, 572573 KB, 40 pages

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Draft code of practice on electronic and workplace balloting for statutory union ballots

PDF, 846847 KB, 44 pages

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E-ballotingElectronic and workplace ballotingballoting: impact assessment

PDF, 593 KB, 37 pages

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Ways to respond

Respond online

or

Email to:

tradeunionpolicy@businessandtrade.gov.uk

Write to:

Trade Union Policy, Employment Rights Directorate
Department for Business and Trade
Old Admiralty Building
Admiralty Place
London
SW1A 2DY

Updates to this page

Published 19 November 2025
Last updated 22 June 2026 — Show all updates

  1. Documents added: the government response to the consultation, an updated draft code of practice, and an updated impact assessment.

  2. First published.

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