Unite to Hold Nationwide Day of Action Against Energy Bill Hikes

Unite, the UK’s leading union, is organising a nationwide day of action on April 1 to protest rising energy costs, demand public ownership of energy resources, and highlight the growing crisis of fuel poverty affecting millions across the country.

Unite, the UK's leading union, is intensifying its campaign against soaring energy costs with a nationwide day of action under the Unite Energy 4 All initiative. The movement, dedicated to ensuring no one has to choose between heating and eating, will see Unite Community members taking to the streets of Woolwich, London, on Tuesday, April 1.

Event Details:

• When: Tuesday, April 1, 12:00 PM

• Where: General Gordon Square, SE18 6FH

• Media Access: Photo opportunities and interviews with campaigners are available

The demonstration coincides with the latest increase in the energy price cap, which will rise by 6.4%, pushing the average dual-fuel household's cap from £1,738 to £1,849. Unite's protest aims to draw attention to the ongoing poverty crisis, exacerbated by what the union describes as a failure of energy regulation.

A Nationwide Protest

This action in Woolwich is part of a broader movement taking place around 40 other locations across the UK. Unite members, alongside fuel poverty and pensioner groups, are protesting the dire reality that in the sixth most prosperous economy in the world, eight million people struggle to afford their energy bills. Alarmingly, an estimated 7,000 people die each year due to their inability to heat their homes.

Unite Calls for Public Ownership of Energy Resources

Unite's General Secretary, Sharon Graham, emphasised the urgent need for reform, stating:

"It's time to end the chaos in our energy network, which allows profiteers to flourish while workers and communities are left in the cold. No one should ever have to choose between heating and eating. We believe it is time for public ownership and for fuel poverty to be consigned to the dustbin of history."

The union has been vocal in criticising the UK's energy regulator, Ofgem, arguing that it has failed to protect consumers and has instead allowed energy companies to prioritise profits over people's well-being. The latest increase of £111 to the energy price cap underscores the ongoing burden on households.

Unite's Industry and Community Support

Simon Coop, Unite's National Officer for Energy & Utilities, highlighted the union's unique position in both workplace and community organising:

"Unite is unique as a Trade Union in organising in the workplace and the community, and our Industrial members in the Energy sector are right behind Unite Community's day of action. OFGEM has failed to protect consumers. For too long they have sided with the profiteering energy companies over the most vulnerable in our country, and we stand in full support of the campaign against fuel poverty and for public ownership of our energy sector."

Defending the Winter Fuel Allowance

In addition to the day of action, Unite is running the Defend the Winter Fuel Allowance campaign. The union is urging the Labour government to reinstate the Winter Fuel Payment and is advocating for a wealth tax to fund this essential support for vulnerable households.

With increasing energy costs pushing more people into financial hardship, Unite's day of action is a bold statement that urgent change is needed to protect households from fuel poverty and to demand a fairer, publicly owned energy system.