Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment the Government has made of the potential cost to (a) devolved administrations, (b) local authorities and (c) other public bodies of trade union dues no longer being deducted from salaries by those employers.

It is no longer appropriate for public sector employers to carry the administrative burden of providing a check off facility for those trade unions that have not yet modernised their subscription arrangements.

Employers are under no obligation to offer this service. There would therefore be no cost associated with an employer not providing this service, but rather a likely saving from simpler administration.