Britain’s largest trade union has taken the next step in its legal action over winter fuel payment cuts.
Unite has requested permission from the High Court to go ahead with a judicial review of the Government’s decision to axe the allowance for most pensioners.
The union’s general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Labour’s decision to pick the pocket of pensioners was wrong on every level.
“The Government has been given every opportunity to reverse its decision and it has failed to do so.
“This is a rushed, ill-thought out policy and the Government clearly failed to follow the proper legal measures before executing it.
“With winter approaching the courts must now hold the government to account and reverse this cruel cut as quickly as possible.”
Unite said it pushed ahead with its legal bid after the Government sent an “unsatisfactory” response to its pre-action letter.
Around 10 million OAPs will no longer receive winter fuel payments from this winter after the Government decided to restrict payments to people on pension credit in a bid to save money.
Ministers said the move was necessary to help fill a £22 billion “black hole” they claim the previous government left in this year’s spending plans.
But it has sparked a backlash from opposition parties, charities and unions.
The latest development in the legal action will further strain relations between Labour and Unite, which had previously been a significant donor to the party.
The union previously staged a protest outside this year’s Labour Party conference over the issue.
