Unison, Britain's biggest public sector union, has launched a personal contract purchase car scheme for its members.

More than 1.3 million of the union’s members have now been given access to the new affinity scheme, which is managed by Grosvenor Hall Group.

The union has been pushing for a raise in the current AMAP (approved mileage allowance payments) rates, and hoped that changes to the rates would have been announced in the Budget announcement.

However, the Chancellor opted to keep the current rates of 40p a mile for the first 10,000 miles and then 25p per mile after that.

Unison complained that these rates are too low and do not take into account the rapidly rising cost of fuel.

Now it is offering the affinity scheme, which Paul Barker, Unison head of benefits, described as offering genuine benefits to its members.

“This is a very attractive opportunity to drive a new car at competitive rates.”