Birmingham protest: Campaigners take stand against 'energy price hike' in city centre

The Ofgem Energy Price Cap which controls what UK households pay for energy, is set to rise by 10% on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

Unite say the impact of the increase will plunge millions into fuel poverty and hardship. For pensioners and other vulnerable groups increases in energy costs will be nearer 15 per cent.

Members of Unite have gathered today (Tuesday, October 1). The demonstration is part of the ongoing Unite4Energy for All campaign, calling for public ownership of energy distribution networks and guarantees on energy prices. Campaigners are highlighting the impact of this week's price cap increase.

The government's cut to the Winter Fuel Allowance has made the situation even more desperate for many.

The protests were held at Birmingham New Street station, Chesterfield, Belper, Glossop, and Nottingham.

It launched last year to urge the government to end fuel poverty through the introduction of a free allowance of energy to every household to meet basic needs.

The October 1, protests were also calling for the public ownership of energy distribution networks, domestic power suppliers and the North Sea’s reserves of oil and gas, to bring an end to what Unite say is ‘flagrant profiteering’.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Callous utility corporations are blighting the lives of millions.

“Every household must be guaranteed enough energy to cover essential needs. No one should be forced to choose between heating or eating.

“Last year alone, private firms reported profits of £45 billion from our country’s domestic energy system.

“If that money had been kept in the hands of the hardworking public, it could have been used to save each household almost £2,000 on their energy bills.”

Unite say their report into the UK’s energy system ‘Unite Investigates Renationalising Energy’ shows private energy companies making a profit of £45 billion, and if returned to consumers would reduce bills by £1,800.

According to Unite, 20 energy companies have made £457 billion in profits since the start of the energy crisis, with £61 billion being posted in profits this year alone.

The trade union also say Ofgem is not protecting consumers from “rampant profiteering”.

As part of the October price hike the regulator has indicated that suppliers will be able to make an additional 11 per cent in profits on every standard variable tariff which Unite say works out as £1.2 billion in additional profit.

Unite say bills are 65 per cent higher than in 2020 and over 6.5 million people live in fuel poverty.

Unite Community activist, Judy White said: “The tragedy in this country, the fifth richest in the world, is that people are having to choose between eating and heating.

“The cut to the Winter Fuel Allowance is appalling and the consequences will be catastrophic.

“We believe that with decisive government action all deaths from cold homes, and fuel poverty can be avoided.”