PENSIONERS and retired trade unionists challenged Energy Secretary Ed Miliband over the cuts to the winter fuel allowance in his Doncaster constituency today.

The demonstration was called as part of Unite’s national campaign and series of protests against the government’s policy.

Protesters handed a survey of local residents about losing the benefit and the extortionate cost of gas and electricity by profiteering energy giants to his Doncaster North constituency office.

Ahead of the action, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Instead of picking the pocket of pensioners, the government should be looking at a wealth tax that targets the very richest in society.

“Our members and constituents will be telling Ed Miliband just how tough things are for them and that the government must reverse this cut immediately.”

Unite said that 85.2 per cent of the people who responded to its survey this month had lost their winter fuel payments as a result of Labour’s cuts to entitlement.  

An overwhelming 88.1 per cent of respondents supported public ownership of Britain’s energy system, compared to two-thirds nationally.

And 83.2 per cent of respondents also said that they had struggled to pay their energy costs in the past 12 months.

Unite has also launched a judicial review process on behalf of the union and its retired members to overturn the government’s decision to cut the winter fuel payment to all but the poorest pensioners.

Its case is built on the belief that the government has acted unlawfully and its action is having a terrible effect on millions of older people in society and will likely cause an increase in cold related deaths.

A government spokesperson said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners — with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to £1,900 this parliament through our commitment to the Triple Lock.

“Many others will continue to benefit from the Warm Home Discount and we have extended the Household Support Fund to help with the cost of heating, food and bills.

“And last year Energy UK, in collaboration with the government, published a Winter 2024 Commitment which promised £500m of industry support to billpayers this winter.”