GMB union's Labour affiliation 'could drop to 10%'

The UK's third largest trade union has warned Labour to expect a significant cut in donations if Ed Miliband goes ahead with planned changes to the way its members donate to the party.

GMB union funding could drop from around £2m a year to less than £1m.

Under Mr Miliband's plan, union members would have to opt-in to pay subscriptions to Labour.

The GMB's Paul Kenny told the Today programme's Evan Davis that the move could see a 90% drop in the number of members affiliating to the party: "We'll be lucky if 10% of our current affiliation levels say yes, they want to be members of the Labour Party."

"Campaigning for the Labour Party and... wanting to be members of the Labour Party are two different things," he explained.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Wednesday 10 July 2013.