TRADE unions are “as valued as ever,” the TUC said yesterday after official figures revealed resilience in the face of ruling-class attacks.

The Office for National Statistics revealed that membership had held firm in 2014, with 6.4 million UK employees members of unions — a statically insignificant change from 2013.

However, as there was an increase in the number of people in work, the proportion of union members dropped from 25.6 per cent to 25.0 per cent in the same period.

And the figures are a significant drop on peak membership of 13.2 million in 1979 when the Thatcher regime unleashed its systematic attack on the working class.

But TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady was resolute.

“It’s good to see that trade union membership is as valued as ever, with the number of new members increasing in some sectors,” she said.

“Trade union membership in the private sector has risen for the fourth consecutive year. The TUC family has itself expanded in the past year, with the National Association of Head Teachers joining the ranks plus the Royal College of Midwives seeking affiliation.

“Trade unions are essential for protecting workers’ interests. With 6.4 million members, unions are best placed to speak on behalf of working people, to combat growing inequality and help ordinary families through the crisis in living standards.”

The study also found disabled employees are more likely to be trade union members, making up 14 per cent of membership last year compared to 12 per cent of the population at large.