BECTU affiliations

General Fund

Political Fund

For an explanation of this fund see below.

All British members of BECTU contribute to its Political Fund, unless they choose not to.

This is called "contracting-out", and a written notice to the union from the member saying they do not wish to contribute to the political fund is all that’s required. Notices should be sent to Andy Egan aegan@bectu.org.uk at BECTU Head Office.

Members outside Britain (that is to say, in Northern Ireland, the Irish Republic, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, and overseas) do not contribute to the political fund.

Each member who does contribute has £1.56 per annum (3p per week) of their ordinary BECTU subscription transferred to the political fund. It is not an extra levy. British members who have contracted-out are entitled a refund of £1.56 per annum.

The law requires trade unions to have a political fund if their aims and objectives are to include political activity and campaigning, particularly if the effect of this is to persuade people to vote or not to vote for a particular political party or candidate.

Without a Political Fund BECTU would be less able to:

  • Lobby parliament over the BBC Charter
  • Campaign on copyright and intellectual property issues
  • Lobby at Westminster and in Europe over the Services Directive
  • Press the Treasury over film tax incentives
  • Take the Labour government to the European Court over its failure to implement the Working Time Directive properly

BECTU uses its Political Fund to affiliate to the Labour Party.

However, not everyone who contributes to the political fund contributes to the Labour Party.

BECTU has a membership of over 26,500 members, but it affiliates to the Labour Party on only 7,300 members. Affiliation to the Labour Party gives the union direct access to Ministers, and the ability to be strongly critical of government when necessary.

Last updated 12 February 2008