# Government restores £40 million Union Learning Fund amid Tory criticism

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/john-healey-accused-of-handing-a-bung-to-labours-political-allies-after-he-finds-40million-for-unions/
- Published: 2026-10-31T21:38:34+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-31T21:47:30+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16255479/John-Healey-accused-handing-bung-Labours-allies.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: World

## Key points

- The Government is restoring the Union Learning Fund with £40 million.
- Conservatives say the funding favours Labour’s union allies.
- Ministers say it will help workers build skills for future jobs.

## Summary

The Government is restoring the Union Learning Fund with £40 million, prompting Conservative criticism that taxpayers’ money will benefit Labour’s trade union allies. The announcement comes as Angela Rayner’s Employment Rights Act takes effect, and critics argue the fund could strengthen unions in disputes with employers.

The fund previously supported about 180,000 workers a year and operated through more than 50 unions in over 700 workplaces. Nearly half of non-union members who used its training later joined a union, according to the article. The Government says the renewed scheme will help workers gain skills, adapt to AI and prepare for future jobs; it says union activities must remain legally separate from the fund.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.