General Political Fund


UNISON's political campaigning voice

Latest edition of the GPF newsletter
Dowload the latest GPF News:
Link to a PDF document on this siteAcrobat [PDF]
UNISON's political fund is divided into two sections: the General Political Fund and the Affiliated Political Fund. UNISON uses the General Political Fund (GPF) to pay for political campaigning at branch, regional and national level as well as for research and lobbying in Parliament to pursue UNISON's objectives and priorities.

It is not affiliated to any political party, but the money in the fund is used to support local campaigns, to give a boost to our big national political campaigns and to pay for political advertising.

In the run-up to general or local elections, the fund has been used for effective advertising campaigns to ensure that issues of importance to UNISON are high on the agenda.

Much of the high profile political campaign work you see from UNISON is paid for by the GPF.

The GPF funded a TV recruitment advert "You're one in a million" launched in October 2004.

But it's not just the big things that the GPF funds. All sorts of national and local projects and campaigns benefit from receiving funding this way.

These include:

  • Anti-racist events
  • Local campaigns against privatisation/marketisation
  • UNISON presence at various national and regional events
  • Campaigns against council housing sell-off
Since 2005 the GPF has taken a national over-view of equality events - seeking to pre-plan and co-ordinate the union's involvement. This strategy has worked well, allowing for a more consistent approach to both the funding of events and the planning of UNISON's presence and political message at them.

So can my branch benefit from the GPF?
Any branch that has members who contribute to the GPF can apply for financial support for a local campaign or activity.

How do we apply?
GPF enquiries should be directed to:
Email: g.politicalfund@unison.co.uk
Telephone: 020 7551 1575.

CONTACT DETAILS
UNISON General political fund
1 Mabledon Place
London WC1H 9AJ
Email: g.politicalfund@unison.co.uk
Important Documents

GPF Guidance on access to the fund

General overview of the General Political Fund detailing the main objectives, structure and guidelines.
Link to a PDF document on this siteMicrosoft Word version
Link to a PDF document on this siteGPF Guidance on access to the fund

GPF Application form

General political fund application form.
Link to a PDF document on this siteMicrosoft Word version
Link to a PDF document on this siteGPF Application form

Housing guidance

This document assists regions and branches when preparing a General Political Fund bid relating to a housing campaign against a stock transfer or an arms length management organisation (ALMO).
Link to a PDF document on this siteMicrosoft Word version
Link to a PDF document on this siteHousing guidance

Documents

General political fund expenditure

General political fund expenditure 2006 bids agreed at GPF meetings
Link to a PDF document on this siteAcrobat PDF version

Form to contribute to both political funds

Form allowing contributions to both UNISON political funds: UNISON Labour Link Fund and General Political Fund
Link to a PDF document on this siteForm to contribute to both political funds

Political funds exemption form

Form to opt-out of contributions to either of UNISON political funds.
Link to a PDF document on this sitePolitical funds exemption form