GMB cuts Party funds again

The 700,000-strong GMB general union has taken the second decision in a year to slash funding to the Labour Party over its policies on public services. The move comes at a time of strained relations between unions and party.

The GMB is to cut a further £1 million from its affiliation fee to the party over the next four years. This follows an earlier £1 million-over-four-years cut announced last July. Local support is unaffected.

A GMB spokeswoman denied reports that the union would be supporting non-Labour candidates in the May local elections but she said: "We will be looking very closely at which Labour candidates we support. We will be looking at them to support public services."