Published: 09/09/2010 16:00 -
Updated: 08/09/2010 14:59
Local authorities in Northamptonshire have been criticised for subsidising trade unions with taxpayers’ money to the tune of £200,000.
The Taxpayers’ Alliance has criticised local authorities for spending the money on Unions, when the cash could be better spent elsewhere.
Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act, reveal that Northampton Borough Council gave £81,251 to Unison and GMB unions.
Northamptonshire County Council paid £54,167 to Unision, £18,959 to the National Union of Teachers (NUT), and £10,833 to the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT).
They also paid £13,542 to the Secretary of the Joint Trade Union Group.
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust (Mental Health) also paid Unison £27,084. Altogether Unison received £162,502 from the local authorities.
Matthew Sinclair, director of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Trade unions are lining up to fight vital cuts in public spending and threatening strikes that could cause massive disruption for ordinary families.
“By financing their other work, like representing and recruiting members, taxpayers’ money frees up union funds for political contributions and expensive campaigns. If big, rich, public sector unions are going to take an active political role, there is no way they should be getting taxpayers’ money.”
Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act, reveal that Northampton Borough Council gave £81,251 to Unison and GMB unions.
Northamptonshire County Council paid £54,167 to Unision, £18,959 to the National Union of Teachers (NUT), and £10,833 to the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT).
They also paid £13,542 to the Secretary of the Joint Trade Union Group.
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust (Mental Health) also paid Unison £27,084. Altogether Unison received £162,502 from the local authorities.
Matthew Sinclair, director of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Trade unions are lining up to fight vital cuts in public spending and threatening strikes that could cause massive disruption for ordinary families.
“By financing their other work, like representing and recruiting members, taxpayers’ money frees up union funds for political contributions and expensive campaigns. If big, rich, public sector unions are going to take an active political role, there is no way they should be getting taxpayers’ money.”
