TaxPayers’ Alliance responds to Starmer’s speech at the TUC’s annual congress

For immediate release


Responding to the prime minister’s speech at the TUC annual congress, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:

“Taxpayers will read through the lines of Starmer’s speech, which continues to push the increasingly absurd claim that this government is on the side of workers.

“The promise to repeal the Trade Union Act and scrap minimum service levels will hand unions more and more powers to disrupt the lives of the British people and it will mark a major step back in terms of transparency given this act required the publication of facility time in the public sector.

“The government should stop pretending that the interests of the unions align with the interests of taxpayers.”


TPA spokespeople are available for live and pre-recorded broadcast interviews via 07795 084 113 (no texts)


Media contact:

Joanna Marchong
Investigations Campaign Manager, TaxPayers' Alliance
[email protected]
24-hour media hotline: 07795 084 113 (no texts)


Notes to editors:

  1. Founded in 2004 by Matthew Elliott and Andrew Allum, the TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) campaigns to reform taxes and public services, cut waste and speak up for British taxpayers. Find out more at www.taxpayersalliance.com.

  2. TaxPayers' Alliance's advisory council.

  3. The TaxPayers’ Alliance first uncovered the cost of facility time and the existence of trade union ‘pilgrims’ in groundbreaking research in 2010.

  4. Research published by the TaxPayers’ Alliance in 2024 found that almost 24,000 public sector workers are spending part of their time on trade union duties
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience.  More info. Okay