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Defend the Winter Fuel Payment campaign archive

Unite is leading the charge on winter fuel

The Unite campaign for a wealth tax to pay for the winter fuel allowance has been leading the news:

It is clear that Unite is now spearheading the demand to reinstate the winter fuel payment.

We are glad to see a Labour government and we want to see another one in five years’ time.

But we make no apology for holding Labour’s feet to the fire, because unless Labour makes the right choices, there won’t be a second Labour government. People need to see their lives improve. Taking money off pensioners on as little as £220 a week, while the 50 richest families in Britain own a combined £500 billion, doesn’t do that.  That is why Unite is holding Labour to account over winter fuel.

A 1 per cent wealth tax on the richest in society who have over £4 million in assets would raise £25 billion. That sum dwarves the £1.5 billion Labour hopes to raise by picking the pockets of pensioners, and it wouldn’t leave ordinary people afraid to turn their heating on.

It is not too late for the Labour government to reverse its decision on winter fuel. We will continue pressing until it does so.

Sharon Graham takes to the airwaves to defend our Winter Fuel Payment

Unite has led the demands for the Labour government to think again about cutting the Winter Fuel Payment.

The TUC Congress means the media spotlight has been on trade unions, and general secretary Sharon Graham has used every press opportunity to champion our retired members and call out Labour for their choice to punish pensioners.

The case Sharon makes is cast iron. A 1 per cent wealth tax on the richest in society who have over £4 million in assets would raise £25 billion. That sum dwarves the £1.5 billion Labour hopes to raise by picking the pockets of pensioners and wouldn’t leave ordinary people afraid to turn their heating on. 

Watch more media coverage of Sharon Graham challenging Labour’s decision to make pensioners pay on LBC, Sky News, Politics Hub with Sophy Ridge and Today on BBC Radio 4, all on Unite's YouTube channel.

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