Unite, the UK’s leading union, is stepping up its Unite 4 Energy for All campaign to end fuel poverty this week with a series of protests nationwide.

The days of action, mainly taking place on Wednesday (July 1), will coincide with the date the energy price cap rises by £221 a year for an average household.

Unite Community members will be drawing attention to the shameful fact that 12.1 million UK households live in fuel poverty and cannot afford to pay their energy bills – a problem that is set to worsen with the latest price hikes. 

On Wednesday the UK energy price cap will increase by 13 per cent for a typical dual-fuel household from 1 July to 30 September, raising the average annual bill to £1,862 for people paying by direct debit. This will add roughly £18 a month to energy bills - this latest rise in the price cap puts gas and electricity bills 79 per cent higher than they were before the energy crisis began in winter 2020/21.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "The increase in the energy cap is another kick in the teeth for workers and families who were already struggling with ever rising bills and the cost-of-living crisis. The UK has among the highest energy bills in Europe, they should be going down not up.

“While everyday people suffer, energy companies are shamelessly profiteering, making millions. We need decisive action for the short and long term. There must be an immediate and deep cut in the energy price cap and a plan to renationalise our energy to end corporate greed, beginning with the National Grid.”

The energy price cap is reviewed every three months by Ofgem. Unite research shows that UK energy companies make £30 billion a year in profits, meaning the average household pays £500 a year in energy profits. Meanwhile, people fear having to choose between heating and eating as the weather becomes colder later in the year.

Nearly a quarter of households are in debt to energy companies while the chief executives of these companies have seen their personal shares in these firms increase by over £6 million since 1 January 2026.

Unite regional community coordinator Jamie Caldwell said: “Already, our members have told us they are struggling to pay their energy bills and without decisive action this situation will only get worse.

“Our protest will highlight this huge increase in energy bills, the need for public ownership of the energy companies and to provide a demonstration of people’s anger at never ending increases in energy prices.”

 ENDS

Notes to editors

Unite Community is working with organisation Fuel Poverty Action to demand an end to fuel poverty. 

The campaign demands are:

- Public ownership of the energy sector 

- A worker-led transition to renewable energy

- Excess green energy should be free

Actions

Where: The bridge over the canal at Clydebank Shopping Centre, 170 Kilbowie Rd, G81 2UA

When: Monday 29 June 2026 from 12:00 to 14:00

Where: Outside Birmingham New Street Station, Smallbrook Ringway, Birmingham

When: Wednesday 1 July 2026 from 12:00 to 14:00

Where: Outside the city council headquarters, Broad Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1AH

When: Wednesday 1 July 2026 from 17:30 to 18:30

Where: Glasgow Central Station, Hope Street entrance, G1 3SL

When: Wednesday 1 July 2026 from 16:00 to 18:00

Where: Nottingham Central Library, 1 Carrington Street, Nottingham, NG1 7FH

When: Wednesday 1 July 2026 from 11:00 to 14:00

Where: Stratford Mall and Shopping Centre, Stratford Broadway, London E15 1NG

When: Wednesday 1 July 2026 from 11:30 to 13:30

Where: Outside Brodick Ferry Terminal, Brodick, Isle of Arran, KA27 8AY

When: Wednesday 1 July 2026 from 10:45

Where: Outside Peterborough Town Hall, Bridge Street, PE1 1HA

When: Wednesday 1 July 2026 from 11:00 to 13:00

Where: Derby bus station, DE1 2AW When: Wednesday 1 July 2026 from 16:00 to 18:00

Where: Ecotricity, Lion House, Rowcroft, Stroud GL5 3BY

When: Wednesday 1 July 2026 from 11:00 to 13:00

Where: The fountain, Commercial Road, PO1 1BU When: Wednesday 1 July 2026 from 11:00 to 13:00

Where: Opposite Waterstones entrance to West Quay, Southampton, SO15 1QE

When: Wednesday 1 July 2026 from 12:00 to 13:30

Where: Outside Tesco, 94 Nicholson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9EJ

When: Wednesday 1 July 2026 from 10:00 to 12:00

Where: Jubilee Clock Tower, Brighton, BN1 3GJ When: Wednesday 1 July 2026 from 11:00

Where: Bradford Darley Street Market, BD1 3AW When: Wednesday 1 July, 11:00 to 15:00

Where: The Moor, Sheffield Market, S1 4PF When: Wednesday 1 July, 12:00 to 13:30

Where: Bridgegate, Irvine, opposite Nationwide Building Society When: Wednesday July 1, 12:00 to 13:00

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite press officer Natasha Wynarczyk on 07970081524

Email: natasha.wynarczyk@unitetheunion.org