PROTESTERS have gathered outside the headquarters of Scottish Power to demand the Winter Fuel Payment cut be reversed.
Organised by the Scottish Tenants Organisation, the protest – which took place in Glasgow on Thursday – condemned the recent rise in energy bills and called on the UK Government to take further action.
It comes as the latest energy price cap announced by regulator Ofgem came into effect at the beginning of this month, meaning average household bills are set to rise by 10% to around an additional £149 a year.
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Protesters could be seen holding signs reading, “Shame! Starmer and Reeves – don't cut Winter Fuel Payments”, with another saying: “Pensioners will die this winter.”
Last month, the Scottish Government announced plans to work with energy companies to create a new social tariff, which would see certain customers charged a reduced rate for their gas and electricity.
At the time, climate action minister Alasdair Allan said the move was “a real step forward” and could produce a model for fairer energy pricing “not just in Scotland but in other nations too”.
However, he added that there is “some way to go” before a social tariff would become a reality.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves (above) is facing calls to reverse the cut to the Winter Fuel Payment in the upcoming Autumn Budget, set to take place on October 30.
The decision has led to one Labour MP quitting the party, citing Keir Starmer’s “cruel and unecessary policies”.
Meanwhile, Scottish Labour MPs have been slammed for being “chicken” after only two MPs abstained from the vote to cut the payment, with the rest voting in favour.
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