Make Work Pay: Draft code of practice on electronic and workplace balloting for statutory union ballots

28/01/2026
ASCL response to the Department of Business and Trade consultation 'Make Work Pay: Draft code of practice on electroinc and workplace balloting for statutory union ballots'.
 
Ballot transparency requires counting the number of ballots issued. The Code should explicitly require scrutineer reports to include the total number of ballot “papers” or electronic ballot credentials issued, as this is essential for calculating turnout.

Cybersecurity standards should be unambiguous. ASCL considers Cyber Essentials Plus to be the minimum acceptable standard for all digital systems used in electronic balloting. The draft Code’s reference to an undefined “equivalent standard” is unclear — the Code should remove this ambiguity and require CE+ explicitly.

Full response to consultation