Thousands of consultation submissions to be handed over by Unite campaigners to communities minister Gordon Lyons

What: Protest by winter fuel campaigners at hand over of submissions to the department for communities

When: 14:00, Thursday 27 February 2025

Where: Department for communities (DfC), Causeway Exchange, 1-7 Bedford St, Belfast BT2 7EG.

Thousands of consultation responses demanding the total restoration of the universal winter fuel payment (WFP) will be handed to communities minister Gordon Lyons during a demonstration organised by Unite retired members on Thursday, 27 February. 

The protest follows the UK government’s decision to slash the WFP, restricting it to pensioners on means-tested benefits, such as pension credit. Within weeks, the Northern Ireland executive followed suit, excluding thousands of retired workers with modest, contribution-based pensions. The DfC’s £100 one-off payment per household falls far short of the original £200 per person benefit and has yet to be paid to pensioners.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “Pensioners are being forced to choose between heating and eating due to this cut is disgraceful. The department for communities must fully reverse this cruel policy immediately.”

Unite and other campaigners are demanding the reinstatement of the universal WFP to ensure no pensioner is left behind, automatic uptake of pension credit to prevent eligible pensioners from missing out, targeted energy efficiency grants to reduce long-term heating costs for older households, and contributions from energy companies to support vulnerable consumers without passing on additional costs.

 Campaigners from across the anti-poverty movement will join the demonstration, standing alongside affected pensioners demanding action. Unite has also launched a judicial review, arguing the cut is unlawful and risks increasing cold-related deaths among older people.