Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress, has been appointed as a non-executive director of the Bank of England's Court of Directors by Chancellor John Healey. The appointment has generated controversy because it was announced on the same day Nowak repeated calls for banks to pay higher taxes on their "mega profits", raising questions about potential conflicts of interest. Opposition parties have accused the Labour government of cronyism, claiming the position rewards union donations, whilst supporters note that TUC leaders have previously held such roles under both Labour and Conservative governments.

Nowak will receive £20,000 annually for the four-year term in exchange for approximately three days' work per month, although he has pledged to donate all fees to charity. His appointment prompted criticism from Reform politicians, who highlighted that unions have donated £248 million to Labour since 2001. The government's Treasury stated that Nowak and fellow appointees have confirmed they have not engaged in party political activity in the past five years, though critics point to his recent public praise for Prime Minister Andy Burnham and attacks on Reform's Nigel Farage.