Union cash to Labour

Nineteen trade unions gave a total of £819,696 in donations and affiliation fees to the Labour Party in the fourth quarter of 2002, according to figures filed with political finance watchdog the Electoral Commission.

Three unions gave six-figure totals. Amicus AEEU topped the list with £250,501, followed by the GMB general union with £246,007. Communications workers union CWU gave £128,650.

Smaller sums of £31,147 were given by public services union UNISON and £30,069 by community union ISTC.