Minister shows “contempt” by dodging Unite lobby

Retired Unite members from Bristol have taken their concerns over the cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance to their MP – who just happens to be Treasury Minister Darren Jones.

Members of Unites Bristol Retired Members branch lobbied the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Bristol North West MP on December 14, 2024 as he held a coffee morning in his constituency.

Branch members stood outside Henbury Village Hall with placards demanding the government drop its attack on pensioners’ winter fuel payments, and talked to constituents as they arrived. 

Sadly the MP avoided engaging with local members by using a back entrance into the venue to dodge discussing the issue with the concerned Unite group.

Meeting organisers would not even let the group of Unite pensioners into the coffee morning to warm up with a brew and hear what the Minister had to say. However, being a constituent, branch activist Keith Evans was allowed in, though was left disappointed that his request to ask about the cuts was not granted.

Keith said: “Not only did Jones ignore and avoid the trade unionists outside, he stage-managed the meeting so that only non-controversial issues were raised. Why can’t ministers justify their own actions?”

Fellow retired member from the branch executive, Hugh Kirkbride, added, “The branch lobbied Darren Jones because he’s effectively deputy finance minister, in the Cabinet, and so was directly involved in the decision to remove the Winter Fuel Allowance.”

“The fact that he wouldn’t talk to us inside or outside the meeting shows the government’s contempt for pensioners, and trade unionists generally.”

To find out more about Unites campaign to Defend the Winter Fuel Payment” go to the website.

By Keith Hatch

Photo by Bristol Unite Retired Members Branch