Change of https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/make-work-pay-draft-code-of-practice-on-electronic-and-workplace-balloting-for-statutory-union-ballots

Change description : 2026-06-23 13:30:00: ‘Explanatory memorandum to the draft code of practice on electronic and workplace balloting for statutory trade union ballots’ added. [Policy papers and consultations]

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Consultation outcome

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

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

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

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Explanatory memorandum to the draft code of practice on electronic and workplace balloting for statutory trade union ballots

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Electronic and workplace balloting: impact assessment

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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 ran from
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

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital@businessandtrade.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

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

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital@businessandtrade.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Electronic and workplace balloting: impact assessment

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital@businessandtrade.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Updates to this page

Published 19 November 2025
Last updated 2223 June 2026 Show all updates
  1. 'Explanatory memorandum to the draft code of practice on electronic and workplace balloting for statutory trade union ballots' added.

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

  3. First published.

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Update history

2026-06-23 13:30
‘Explanatory memorandum to the draft code of practice on electronic and workplace balloting for statutory trade union ballots’ added.

2026-06-22 16:53
Documents added: the government response to the consultation, an updated draft code of practice, and an updated impact assessment.

2025-11-19 09:30
First published.