Countrywide protests over energy price hikes

“No one should ever have to choose between heating and eating” was the message from Unite’s members holding protests as part of a nationwide Day of Action over energy price hikes.

Unite Community activists joined comrades from Unite Retired Members Branches, along with other fuel poverty and pensioner groups, held over 40 events yesterday (April 1) with more planned over the coming weeks.

The day of action was part of the ongoing Unite Energy 4 All campaign, and sunny skies bought the public to find out more about the campaign and why Unite is calling for public ownership of the energy network.

Unite activists spoke of a “fantastic response” from the public as they set up stalls in high streets and outside offices across the country.

Unite Community Activist, Andy Mitchell, took part in a protest in Somerset and said, “The sun was out, the people of Glastonbury were very accommodating and overall it was a pleasant couple of hours with good friends and comrades. Many signed our postcards and there was really interesting conversation about the campaign. Thanks to everyone who participated.”

The protests coincided with the day the latest energy price cap rise came into effect, which saw a rise of 6.4 percent from £1,738 to £1,849 for an average dual-fuel household.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “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.”

Unite believes energy regulator Ofgem has totally failed to regulate our nation’s energy market, and the energy price cap continues climbing ever higher while Unite members struggle with ever increasing energy costs.

Simon Coop, Unite’s National Officer for Energy & Utilities said: “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 have 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.”

Unite is also running the Defend the Winter Fuel Allowance campaign, which demands that the Labour government reinstates the Winter Fuel Payment and is calling for the introduction of a wealth tax to pay for it.

Below are photographs of just some of the protests that have taken place across the country over recent days.

The protests received a huge amount of local media coverage and here is a collection of regional news.

Edinburgh – Leith

Halifax

Morley, Leeds

Portsmouth

Brighton

Huddersfield

Glastonbury

Manchester

Glasgow

Canterbury

Birmingham

Carlisle

Newport, Isle of Wight

Nottingham

Southampton

By Keith Hatch

Photos by Unite Community Branches across the country