Today's question: are unions costing us money?

New figures claim that trade unions receive £133 million of public money. But Government research says unions save taxpayers' money. We want to know what you think.

New figures from the Taxpayers’ Alliance (TPA) claim that £113 million of taxpayers’ money is being used to fund trade union activity.

The TPA says that paid time off for public sector workers to undertake union activity amounts to the equivalent of 2,840 full-time staff in 2010/11. And this equates to £80 million of taxpayers’ money.

It also says public sector organisations paid around £33 million directly to trade unions. Most of this came from the Department for Business, which provided £21.4 million to the TUC’s Union Learning Fund.

However, Department for Business research says that unions save between £170 million and £400 million a year. It claims this is achieved through dispute resolution, staff retention, training and health and safety measures.

What do you think?

We want to know your thoughts on this. Do trade unions cost us money? Or do they help to save money? Should they receive public money at all?

Share your thoughts in the comments box below.

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