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UK Parliament

Trade Union Bill returns to the Lords

4 May 2016

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The Trade Union Bill returned to the House of Lords on Tuesday 3 May for consideration of Commons amendments in 'ping pong'.

Peers considered Commons changes relating to electronic balloting and political funding.

Both Houses have agreed on the text of the bill, which now waits for Royal Assent when it will become law.

Royal Assent is scheduled for 4 May.

Lords third reading: Monday 25 April

Members of the Lords discussed amendments relating to political funding, public sector employers and the responsibilities of Certification Officers.

The bill will now be sent to the Commons for consideration of Lords amendments.

Lords report stage two: Tuesday 19 April

Members of the Lords discussed the role and powers of the certification officer and codes of practice for employee engagement.

Third reading, a final chance to 'tidy up' the bill, is scheduled for 25 April.

Lords report stage day one: Wednesday 16 March

The House of Lords made three changes to the bill. Members voted in favour (320 for, 181 against) of a change to commission a review and piloting scheme of electronic ballots. Peers then debated a proposed change to restrict changes to party funding to just new members. The change was made, with 320 members voting in favour of it and 172 against. Members also agreed to a change removing powers in the bill given to the secretary of state to intervene in public bodies in respect of their facility time arrangements (248 voted in favour, 160 against).

A second day of report stage is yet to be scheduled.

Committee stage day four: Thursday 25 February

Members of the Lords discussed amendments relating to union subscriptions and establishing an Independent Adjudication Panel.

Report stage, further line by line examination of the bill, is scheduled for 16 March.

Committee stage day three: Tuesday 23 February

Members of the Lords discussed amendments relating to union expenditure, deduction of union subscriptions from wages in the public sector, and effective employee engagement in industrial relations.

A fourth day of committee stage is scheduled for 25 February.

Committee stage day two: Wednesday 10 February

Members of the Lords discussed amendments relating to picket supervisors, a code of practice and contribution to political funds.

A third day of committee stage is scheduled for 23 February.

Committee stage day one: Monday 8 February

Members of the Lords discussed amendments relating to the balloting, information and timing of industrial action.

A second day of committee stage is scheduled for 10 February.

Second reading: Monday 11 January

Members debated the key areas covered by the bill, including changes to laws around industrial action, balloting and union members’ contributions. They also looked at proposed changes to the role of the Certification Officer in regulating the activity of trade unions.

A number of members raised concerns around the scope of the bill, asking if the measures outlined are too restrictive.

Committee stage, line by line examination of the bill, is yet to be scheduled.

Trade Union Bill summary

The bill will define laws around industrial action, trade unions, employers’ associations and the functions of the Certification Officer.

Further information

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