Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his Department's policy is on allowing trade union activities to be funded from trade union facility time at public expense.

The Cabinet Office Facility Time Framework states that the default position within the Civil Service is that paid time off will not be given for trade union activities. In exceptional circumstances, should a department wish to provide paid time off for activities, it will need to be agreed by their Secretary of State or Chief Executive.