Unite the Union: Sheffield members call for energy sector public ownership adding privatisation has 'failed'

As of October 1, 2024, Ofgem’s energy price cap is now £1,717 - rising from the previous level of £1,568.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said energy companies would continue to “rake in obscene profits” as families struggle with bills and pensioners “shiver” in their homes without the fuel allowance.

“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,” she said.

“Public, democratic control makes energy affordable while sustaining decent work. The question is no longer can we afford to nationalise, it is how long can we afford not to?”

Local members of the union in Sheffield spent Tuesday morning (October 1) securing petition signatures and handing out leaflets detailing the demands.

Unite suggests the latest 10 per cent increase will plunge 400,000 households into ful poverty - bring the total to six million across the country - and represent a 65 per cent increase on prices before the energy bills crisis began.

An Ofgem spokesperson said: “We know that this rise in the price cap is going to be extremely difficult for many households. Anyone who is struggling to pay their bill should make sure they have access to all the benefits they are entitled to, particularly pension credit, and contact their energy company for further help and support.

“Ultimately this price rise is driven by our reliance on a volatile global gas market that is too easily influenced by unforeseen international events and the actions of aggressive states. Building a homegrown renewable energy system is the key to lowering bills and creating a sustainable and secure market that works for customers.”

Emotions surrounding the hike are high, particularly following the changes to the winter fuel payment - a previously universal grant to pensioners in the UK, which the new Labour government have opted to ‘means test’ in order to save money.

The government have repeated claimed there is a £22 billion “black hole” in the nation’s finances - allegedly obscured by the previous government.

Wendy, a Sheffield-based community member of Unite, said of the changes to the fuel payment: “[It’s] terrible. Awful. It’s disgraceful. Absolutely disgraceful. A lot of people live from hand to mouth and I don’t think the government, with their £90,000-a-year income, they don’t know what’s going on in the world.

“I think it’s mean. I think it’s a really mean thing they’ve done... I think it’s very badly thought out.”

Unite have launched Unite4Energy to call for the re-nationalisation of the sector, as well as “fair energy prices and energy justice” and “a free allowance of energy for every household to meet basic needs”.