Reform to check off in the public sector

Implementation date: 9 May 2024

The Trade Union (Deduction of Union Subscriptions from Wages in the Public Sector) Regulations 2024, which were made on 7 February 2024, brought into force changes to the rules in relation to the check-off process in the public sector, which were originally introduced under the Trade Union Act 2016.

The check-off process allows employers to deduct union subscriptions from their workers' salaries. The changes allow for the check-off process to remain only where the union meets the employer's cost of providing check-off facilities, and where workers are allowed to pay union subscriptions by other means should they so choose.

The changes came into force on 9 May 2024, and apply to England and Scotland.