The UK’s biggest trade union has warned elderly people will die as a result of Labour’s decision to scrap winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners as it launched a legal challenge against the change.
Unite has accused the government of acting unlawfully over its move to means test the payment, which is expected to affect around 10 million pensioners.
The decision, which Rachel Reeves said was needed to plug a £22bn black hole in the public finances, will axe the payment of up to £300 for all pensioners except those in receipt of pension credit or other means-tested benefits.
But union Unite has called on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to reverse the change, sending a pre-action protocol letter to secretary of state Liz Kendall.
It has given Ms Kendall’s department until 7 November to reverse the policy change, warning that it will ask the High Court to mount a full judicial review if not.
General secretary Sharon Graham said: “People do not understand, I do not understand how a Labour government has taken away the fuel allowance of millions of pensioners just as winter approaches.
“Given the failure to rectify this in the Budget, Unite has now commenced judicial review proceedings challenging the legality of the policy.
“It is not too late for Labour to register the hurt that this cruel policy has caused, step back from picking the pockets of pensioners and do the right thing.”
Unite is putting forward some of its members as case studies for the legal challenge, who it says are on low incomes in retirement but will no longer receive the payments.
It is claiming the government failed in its legal duty to refer the change to the Social Security Advisory Committee, which it did not. It also alleges the government did not consider the impact on disabled people, and has said it failed to fulfil its responsibilities under the Human Rights Act.
The measure, which Ms Reeves unveiled in July, is set to save the Treasury around £1.5bn.
It has sparked a furious backlash from the Conservatives and left-wing Labour MPs, who have branded it cruel and unnecessary.
The legal challenge comes days after The Independent revealed ministers were engaging in a last-minute scramble to contact 120,000 vulnerable pensioners to warn them about the policy change.
The group can apply for pension credits to replace the lost winter fuel payments this year.
A government spokesperson said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners – with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to £1,700 this parliament through our commitment to the Triple Lock.
“Over a million pensioners will still receive the winter fuel payment, and our drive to boost pension credit take up has already seen a 152 per cent increase in claims. While many others will also benefit from the £150 warm home discount to help with their energy bills over winter.”
