Lobbying Bill fails to tackle rich corporate lobbyists, says TUC

date: 17 July 2013

embargo: For immediate release

Instead of tackling the rich corporate lobbyists who seek to win influence behind the scenes at Westminster, the government has chosen to make the millions of ordinary men and women who belong to UK unions the unfair target of its Lobbying Bill, the TUC said today (Wednesday).

Commenting on the Bill, TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said: 'Rather than fix their sights on those who try to abuse the system, ministers - in what smacks of pure political spite - have gone hell for leather after unions and the millions of ordinary men and women they represent on an issue completely unrelated to lobbying.

'Most people will see this Bill for what it is - a cynical attempt to deflect growing public concern about the behaviour of rich corporate lobbyists representing hedge funds and private health companies, many of whom donate substantial sums to the Conservative Party. Meanwhile unions campaigning to get the voices of Britain's nurses, factory workers, shop assistants and other employees heard around Westminster are being targeted.

'Unions already have to operate under some of the strictest laws and regulations in Europe. They already provide annual returns of members to the Certification Officer.

'By giving employers greater powers to demand yet more detail regarding union membership - without seemingly introducing any corresponding duty on employers to help unions with information they hold - the government is placing unreasonable demands upon unions, while letting the real lobbying villains get away scot-free.

'Employers are already meant to keep unions up to date with relevant personnel changes - giving detail of any promotions, changes of work address or of staff on maternity leave - but in truth few supply the information unions need to comply with the laws on strike ballots.

'Instead of attacking unions, David Cameron should be concerning himself with the influence of lobbyists closer to home.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning & Trade Union Administration Bill is published today.

- The TUC's campaign plan can be downloaded from www.tuc.org.uk/campaignplan

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Alex Rossiter T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07887 572130 E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk