Unions warn against 'out of control' political spending after Reform UK's £72m donations

Trade unions have warned that large political donations threaten the integrity of UK democracy and called for limits on party funding, after Reform UK received £72m from two crypto-billionaires.

• Trade unions at their annual congress in Brighton warned that donations to Reform UK threatened the "health and integrity of democracy".
• Reform UK received two donations totalling £72m from British crypto-billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne.
• The government plans to impose a £100,000 cap on donations from British voters living overseas, backdated to 25 March.
• Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, said she favoured a £500,000 to £1m cap on individual donations but argued union funding should be treated separately.
• The government's plan also introduces a minimum 12-month UK residency requirement for political donors.
• Nigel Farage insisted that the £72m in donations are legally permitted under current rules.
• Peers are debating the bill, with officials saying it is not aimed at any one party.
• Guardian readers published letters criticizing the donations, questioning how a party opposing irregular migration can accept funds from a billionaire owning part of Tether.
• Liberal Democrat peer Chris Rennard contributed a letter warning about the influence of crypto billionaires on democratic integrity.