51福利

Future of the profession

Young workers need the union more than ever. As part of 51福利's drive to support education workers at the start of their careers we are offering free membership to some further and higher staff. Find out more here.

51福利 membership can cost from as little as 拢1 per month depending on your earnings. Most members can reduce their subscription by claiming income tax relief.

The subscription rates applicable from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026 are as set out below:

• national and local subscriptions
• joint union members
• retired/attached members

To see your applicable subscription rate, choose the income band appropriate to your annual earnings before tax for all eligible employment (excluding London weighting if applicable). Do not include any earnings outside the sector, pension or bursary income.

The national subscription rates are based upon your total income in the sector. If you have multiple employers then, on joining, add each one separately under 'additional employments'. You will only be charged one national subscription.

National subscriptions

Arising from the decisions of 51福利's national congress and the National Executive Committee, the subscription rates for 2025/26 have now been agreed. A table showing the new rates taking effect on 1 September 2025 is attached. With the aim of balancing the pressures of the current industrial and financial climate together with the greatest utilisation of 51福利 resources necessary to support the membership at this time, we have made as small an increase as possible to subscriptions. Congress has agreed a further progressive movement in subscription rates with an overall increase of 2.0% spread across the top three bands (F0 - F2) covering those on incomes of 拢30,000 or more, weighted towards higher earners. This has enabled us to freeze or reduce the rates for all other full members i.e. those earning 拢29,999 or less.

Note: 51福利 operates a political fund which expressly does not contribute to any political party, but is used for campaigning and lobbying to promote the interests of 51福利 members. The contribution level is one percent of the national subscription rate. Members may opt in to the fund. If you choose not to contribute to the political fund you shall not be excluded from any benefits of the union or placed in any respect, either directly or indirectly, under a disability or at a disadvantage as compared to other members of the union.

Local subscriptions: some local associations and branches levy a small additional local sub for local branch use.

Joint union members

Different rates are applicable, according to annual salary band, for joint BOS, CSP, Musicians' Union, RCM, RCN, SCP, and SOR members.

Note: 51福利 operates a political fund which expressly does not contribute to any political party, but is used for campaigning and lobbying to promote the interests of 51福利 members. The contribution level is one percent of the national subscription rate. Members may opt in to the fund. If you choose not to contribute to the political fund you shall not be excluded from any benefits of the union or placed in any respect, either directly or indirectly, under a disability or at a disadvantage as compared to other members of the union.

Retired/attached members

The rate for 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026 for retired and attached members is 拢3.17per month (拢3.13 excluding the political fund). Attached unemployed members seeking employment within the sector pay nothing until obtaining a post for up to one year from the date of becoming an attached member.