Rayner Faces Scrutiny as Taxpayer Costs for Trade Union Reps Soar Under Her Watch

Published: 30th July 2025 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has come under sharp public and political scrutiny after newly released data revealed a significant surge in taxpayer-funded payments to trade union representatives under Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner’s tenure. In a development that has reignited debates over Labour’s ties to union interests, the cost of “facility time”—paid leave given to union reps to perform their duties—has climbed by an extraordinary 57 per cent in just one year.

According to the department’s latest annual report, the government spent £225,803 on facility time for trade union representatives in the 2024–25 financial year, a steep increase from the £143,527 recorded in the previous year under Conservative leadership. The jump comes as Rayner pushes forward a robust pro-worker agenda, including sweeping employment reforms that expand union rights and formalise new entitlements across the public and private sectors.

Since 1975, following reforms introduced by the Wilson government, union reps in Britain have been legally entitled to time off with pay for their trade union duties. But under Rayner’s influence, these entitlements are being not only maintained but broadened. Her proposed employment rights bill is expected to enshrine additional responsibilities for employers, requiring them for the first time to fund the wages of “equality representatives”—a new category of union-affiliated staff dedicated to addressing discrimination and workplace equity.

While proponents argue that these measures reinforce workers’ rights and modernise industrial relations, critics have accused Rayner of placing union interests above fiscal prudence. Shadow Housing Secretary James Cleverly has publicly condemned the increase, calling it “a shocking waste of taxpayers’ money” and accusing Rayner of “prioritising trade union trots over taxpayers.” He warned that the trend reflects Labour’s enduring dependence on union support and raises concerns about the party’s policy motivations.

Research published by the Taxpayers’ Alliance last year highlighted that over 23,500 public sector employees were actively serving as union representatives in 2023—marking the second-highest number on record. That activity cost the taxpayer nearly £100 million, a figure that has drawn alarm from fiscal conservatives and prompted calls for greater accountability and transparency regarding the use of public funds for union-related activities.

Defending the surge in costs, a spokesperson from MHCLG cited annual salary uplifts in line with civil service pay guidance as one factor behind the rise. “These figures represent less than 0.1 per cent of our total pay bill,” the department said in a statement. “Trade union representatives have a legal right to be given time off to undertake their duties, and they bring benefits to workplaces and the economy. We continue to support staff to do this as part of our commitment to supporting workers’ rights.”

However, independent analysis suggests that the increase in trade union expenditure far exceeds inflationary adjustments. Comparisons with other government departments, such as the Foreign Office, show that many have managed to keep their facility time costs flat over the same period, raising further questions about whether the MHCLG’s increase reflects a shift in policy priorities rather than standard economic pressures.

Angela Rayner’s deep-rooted history in the union movement is well known. A former trade union representative during her time as a care worker for Stockport Council, she later worked as an official at Unison before her rise through the Labour ranks. Her close affiliations with unions have both bolstered her political capital and exposed her to criticism, especially when those allegiances are seen to conflict with broader governmental responsibilities.

Notably, tensions within the labour movement have begun to show. Earlier this month, the left-leaning Unite the Union voted to suspend Rayner over her perceived failure to back striking bin workers in Birmingham—a rare fracture between the Deputy Prime Minister and one of Labour’s most powerful backers. Sources close to Rayner claimed she had already cancelled her membership, adding that she supported a pay settlement offered by the city council, rather than prolonged industrial action.

As the employment rights bill inches closer to parliamentary approval, the financial and political implications of increased union support within government will continue to attract scrutiny. For now, the spotlight remains firmly on Angela Rayner—a figure whose advocacy for workers has drawn both admiration and ire, and whose policies may reshape the landscape of labour relations in Britain for years to come.