Unite the Union will hold a day of action across the UK on 24 October over rising energy bills, the first time a major union has coordinated protest around domestic energy costs since the 2022 crisis. The move reflects a deeper reality: household budgets are still being crushed by prices that, despite a slight dip from last winter, remain more than double what they were in 2021.
As reported by Unite the Union, the day of action will include rallies, workplace meetings, and public leafleting. The union is targeting the government as well as the energy suppliers and network operators that have continued to post large profits while millions of households struggle.
What the price cap means for a typical home
Ofgem’s price cap for October–December 2024 sets the typical direct debit household at £1,738 a year, that’s £63 more than the July cap. For a 3-bed semi using 12,000 kWh of gas and 2,900 kWh of electricity, the standing charge alone eats up about £330 before a single unit is used. The cap is a ceiling, not a target; many homes on standard variable tariffs still pay more if they live in high-usage areas or have inefficient heating.
The protest is not about the cap’s exact number. It’s about the structure: standing charges have risen 30% since 2021, and network costs, the wires and pipes, now make up 25% of a typical bill. Households cannot shop around to avoid those fixed costs. A heat pump or better insulation reduces usage, but the standing charge remains.
Who qualifies for help, and who gets left out
The government’s Warm Home Discount gives £150 to low-income households on certain benefits. The Energy Price Guarantee is gone. The £400 rebate from 2022 is a memory. For a household earning £35,000 with no benefits, there is zero direct help. The catch is that the most efficient upgrades, cavity wall insulation (£2,500–£4,500), a heat pump (£7,500–£12,000 after the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant of £7,500), still require thousands upfront. The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme covers some insulation for low-income homes, but the waiting list stretches into months.
Unite’s action shows the political consensus around “market-based solutions” has frayed. When a union representing 1.2 million workers takes to the streets over energy bills, the message is that the current system is failing ordinary households.
What homeowners can do now, and what needs to change
For those who can afford it, the most effective single step is reducing heat loss. The Energy Saving Trust says loft insulation to 270 mm saves about £225 a year in a gas-heated semi. Draught-proofing costs under £200 and saves £60–£80 a year. A heat pump, combined with good insulation, can cut heating bills by 20–40% compared to a gas boiler, but only if the home is well-sealed first.
But the bigger question is systemic. Ofgem’s own data shows network companies underspent on maintenance by £180 million last year while increasing their allowed revenues. The regulator is consulting on a new price control framework for 2026–2031, but that is two years away. Homeowners cannot wait. They can switch to a fixed tariff now (some are £100–£150 cheaper than the cap), check eligibility for ECO4 through their local council, and push their MP to back a social tariff for standing charges.
The day of action on 24 October is a signal. Whether the government listens, or leaves households to fix a broken system one loft hatch at a time, is the real test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Directly, no, the protest is built to pressure the government and Ofgem to reform standing charges and network costs. But it could accelerate political action on a social tariff or tighter regulation of supplier profits.
Switch to a fixed tariff if one is cheaper than the price cap, check comparison sites. Then draught-proof your home and top up loft insulation. These cost under £300 and can save £150–£300 a year combined.
