Gordon, put people's needs above corporate greed, Unite
leader urges
22 September 2008
Speaking ahead of the Prime Minister's speech to the Labour
conference tomorrow, Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of
Unite, urged the Prime Minister to leave voters in no doubt that he
was on their side by announcing a windfall tax on profiteering
energy companies.
"Voters will be clear that the priority of their Prime Minister
and government is to protect the people of this country from the
global economic storm, and it is proper that this should be the
case.
"But people also want to know what help will be given to them
and their families directly, particularly to those struggling to
pay their fuel bills and terrified about the winter ahead. He has
promised a crack down on City speculators who play fast and loose
with working people's livelihoods. He now needs to be as tough on
the oil and energy companies who are bringing financial misery to
millions of homes across the country.
"So we need to hear that progress is being made on direct
financial assistance to help households heat their homes this
winter, and action to cap spiralling prices.
"This will not only warm the voters of Glenrothes next month, it
will remind voters across the country that Labour is the party that
puts people's needs above corporate greed."
Unite is campaigning for a windfall tax on energy companies to
provide £250 to approximately six million fuel poor UK homes this
winter. Unite has also collecting cases of consumers struggling to
meet their fuel bills to present to government as further evidence
of the need for price capping and cash back to consumers.
ENDS
For further information call Pauline Doyle on 07976 832 861
