Change of https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/trade-union-political-funds

Change description : 2026-08-25 09:30:00: Added link to ‘Electronic and workplace balloting: code of practice’. [Guidance and regulation]

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Guidance

Trade union political funds

Guidance on how a trade union political fund must be operated.

From:
Department for Business and Trade, Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
PublishedPublished:
9 April 2010
Last updatedupdated:
1825 MayAugust 2026 — See all updates

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

Trade union political funds: a guide for trade unions, their members and others

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Details

New legislation allowing electronic and workplace balloting for statutory trade union ballots came into effect on the 25 August 2026. This includes changes to process of calling a statutory ballot, even if the ballot is to be held by post. From 25 August 2026, the Trade Union ‘responsible person’ must consider specific factors and criteria in determining the balloting methods to be used.

Some information, including within the guidance, on this page may not reflect these legislative changes. Refer to the guidance on electronic and workplace balloting for trade union ballots and the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 for the most up-to-date information on how statutory trade union ballots may be conducted and the requirements of the ‘responsible person’ in conducting a statutory ballot.

The information on this page and associated guidance will be updated to reflect the legislative changes.

Guidance on how a trade union political fund must be established, maintained and used. Trade unions must comply with certain statutory requirements in setting up and running such funds and union members have certain rights in relation to these requirements.

Updates to this page

Published 9 April 2010
Last updated 1825 MayAugust 2026 href="#full-history">+— show Show all updates

  1. Added link to 'Electronic and workplace balloting: code of practice'.

  2. This page has been updated to reflect amendments to the legislation made by the Employment Rights Act 2025.

  3. The legislation on political fund contributions has been amended. These changes apply to new members joining a union or new funds set up after 1 March 2018.

  4. First published.

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Update history

2026-08-25 09:30
Added link to ‘Electronic and workplace balloting: code of practice’.

2026-05-18 16:21
This page has been updated to reflect amendments to the legislation made by the Employment Rights Act 2025.