GMB must pay back misused cash
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.One of Britain's biggest unions has been forced to pay back thousands of pounds to the Government after taxpayer funding designed for educational programmes was spent on iPads, hotels and a Christmas party.
The GMB Northern Region had to pay back £17,000 of "unionlearn" funding after a Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) investigation found it was guilty of 11 allegations involving the "misdirection of public funds", made by two whistle-blowers.
BIS auditors ruled that the cash, from a £200,000 budget for education schemes, was spent on items including staff training that did not take place, computer equipment, five iPads and the production of a video in support of the Labour Party.
A GMB spokesman said: "The audit did not find any grounds for believing this was anything other than the wrong criteria being used on training events and a lack of central controls. Both of these problems have been addressed."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments