Protests over rising household energy bills are due to take place in Portsmouth and Brighton today as the latest Ofgem price cap comes into force.
Members of Unite Community are expected to gather in both cities as part of the union’s Unite 4 Energy for All campaign.
The demonstration coincides with a four per cent increase in the energy price cap for households on default tariffs.
From 1 October, the typical annual figure for a household paying by direct debit for gas and electricity will rise from £1,663 to £1,723 — an increase of £60 a year.
The figure is not a limit on a household’s total bill, with the amount people actually pay depending on how much energy they use. Ofgem says around 22 million households are protected by the price cap, while those on fixed tariffs are not affected by the latest change.
Rates can also vary depending on where people live, their payment method and the type of meter they use.
Unite says its protests are intended to highlight fuel poverty and put pressure on the Government to make wider changes to the energy sector.
The union is calling for a reduction in the energy price cap and for the energy industry to be brought back into public ownership.
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “Once again, workers and families will suffer higher bills caused by a crisis not of their own making while energy companies shamelessly rake in millions of pounds.
“Ever-increasing energy bills are a complete disgrace. We already have among the highest energy bills in Europe, they should be going down not up.
“It is time for definitive action - ending profiteering, renationalising energy to end corporate greed and an immediate cut in the energy price cap.”
Those claims form part of Unite’s campaign and its proposals for reform of the energy sector.
Ofgem reviews the energy price cap every three months. The new level will apply from 1 October until 31 December 2026.
Under the new cap, average direct-debit electricity rates will be 26.32 pence per kilowatt hour, while the average daily electricity standing charge will be 54.83 pence. Average gas rates will be 7.97 pence per kilowatt hour, with a standing charge of 29.68 pence a day.
Unite National Community Coordinator Nicholas Parnell said members had repeatedly raised concerns about being able to afford their energy bills.
He said: “Our members have told us time and time again they are struggling to pay their energy bills. Yet firms and shareholders continue to profit.
“Unite Community's protests will show the strength of feeling at these constant increases to energy prices.”
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