Unite, the UK’s leading union, has taken the next step in seeking a Judicial Review, to overturn the government’s decision to cut winter fuel payments to all but the poorest pensioners.
 
Last week (Friday 22 November) the union made a formal application to the High Court for leave to go forward with a full Judicial Review of the government’s decision to cut winter fuel payments.

Decision wrong on every level
 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Labour’s decision to pick the pocket of pensioners was wrong on every level. The government has been given every opportunity to reverse its decision and it has failed to do so.
 
“This is a rushed, ill-thought-out policy and the government clearly failed to follow the proper legal measures before executing it. With winter approaching the courts must now hold the government to account and reverse this cruel cut as quickly as possible.”
 

Poor government response

The decision to advance the claim to the High Court was made after the government made an unsatisfactory response to the union’s pre-action protocol letter concerning its decision, which included the refusal to reverse the decision.
 
The High Court application is on behalf of Unite itself and 11 of its members all of whom have now been excluded from receiving winter fuel payments.
 
In its application to the High Court Unite has requested that due to the worsening weather conditions and dropping temperatures the application is considered to be an urgent matter and an early hearing is arranged.
 
ENDS
 
Notes to editors
 
For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications advisor Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235.
 
Email: barckley.sumner@unitetheunion.org
 
Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1 Instagram: unitetheunion Web: unitetheunion.org
 
Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.