The following is in reply to the Branch correspondence concerning the threat from some within the coalition Government to attack Trade Unions by removing the check off facility from PCS:
“Thank you for your email to Nick Clegg MP concerning “check-off.” I am replying on his behalf and would like to apologise for the delay in responding.
I can confirm that there is no cross-government agreement to end the process of check-off. Nick is unconvinced of the merits of doing so, and accepts that check-off can have a legitimate role to play in facilitating the positive and welcome role Trade Unions play in representing their members. Furthermore, Nick recognises that there is no reason whatsoever as a result of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act for any government department, or indeed any business, to end the process of check-off.
Each government department will need to make its own decision as ultimately the decision to end check-off lies with each Secretary of State and their Permanent Secretary - you may therefore wish to make representations at a department level. I can, however, clarify that no Liberal Democrat-led department will be ending check-off and, in other departments, Liberal Democrat Ministers will argue against any proposal to do so.
Yours sincerely,
Edward Simpson
Direct Communications Manager
Office of Nick Clegg MP”
