William Eichler 07 March 2022

Trade unions call for £200 fuel loan to be a grant

Trade unions call for £200 fuel loan to be a grant image
Image: Yevhen Prozhyrko/Shutterstock.com.

Trade unions have called on the Government to protect working families against further energy price rises as a result of the Ukraine crisis.

In a letter to the Chancellor, the TUC and the leaders of a number of trade unions have urged the Government to issue grants rather than loans to households faced with rising energy prices.

The Chancellor announced in February that all households would receive £200 off their energy bills in October, but then will pay the discount back by £40 a year over five years from 2023.

The scheme was introduced after the energy regulator Ofgem announced it would raise the price cap to just under £2,000.

In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, campaigners have warned that the average energy bill could soar to £3,000 and force 8.5 million households into fuel poverty.

The TUC and trade union leaders have written to the Chancellor calling on the Government to do more to ensure that sanctions are effective and that Ukrainian refugees are protected.

They also called for the £200 rebate to be a grant rather than a loan, an increase in the warm homes discount and Universal Credit, and a rise in the national minimum wage to at least £10 an hour.

The letter also insisted that there should be a rapid implementation of an accelerated and expanded domestic home retrofit programme, which would be delivered by local councils.

All of these measures should be funded by the implementation of a windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas companies, the letter added.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of People

Lancashire County Council
£108,697 - £117,998
As a leader at Lancashire County Council, you’ll join an authority with real scale, courageous ambition and deep pride in place. County hall
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council

Director of Strategy and Transformation

Lancashire County Council
£108,697 - £117,998
As a leader at Lancashire County Council, you’ll join an authority with real scale, courageous ambition and deep pride in place. Preston, Lancashire
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council

Care and Support Assistant -Longlands

West Northamptonshire Council
13.52ph
About the role We are looking for a dedicated Care and Support Worker to join our team at Longlands Care Home in Daventry. In this rewarding role, you will provide compassionate, person-centred care to older people and those living with dementia, includin Daventry
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Highway Design and Construction Manager

Bolton Council
Grade N, scp50 £62,443 to scp53 £65,663 per annum, plus essential car user allowance
We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. Bolton, Greater Manchester
Recuriter: Bolton Council

Social Worker - Huddersfield Royal Infirmary

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£38,220 - £40,777
Looking to appoint as a Level 2 or Level 3 Social Worker. Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Linkedin Banner