The Transparency of Lobbying, Non-party campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014

In 2013, the government rushed through draft legislation to restrict lobbying and campaigning by unions, charities and other campaign groups. The Act received royal assent in March 2014, despite trade union lobbying. Part three of the Act targets union administration, by amending section 24 of TULRCA to add a new duty on unions to send a membership audit certificate to the Certification Officer.

Unions with more than 10,000 members must appoint a new “qualified independent person” (as determined by the secretary of state) to act as an “assurer”. This assurer will have access to members’ personal details and be responsible for certifying that the trade union’s system for compiling and maintaining the register meets the requirements of section 24.

A union with up to 10,000 members can self-certify.