War in Ukraine: UK unions ask for help amid rising energy prices

Rishi Sunak, UK Economics Minister.

November 25, 2021. (Illustration).

via REUTERS - ©UK Parliament/JESSICA TAYLOR

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

Rising energy prices in the UK, a consequence of the war in Ukraine, are alerting the country's main trade union leaders.

They sent a letter to their Minister of Economy Rishi Sunak asking for financial support to cushion the impact of the Russian invasion on the cost of living.

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With our correspondent in London,

A gas bill could reach 3,600 euros per household this year, warn the unions.

An increase linked to the crisis in Ukraine, Russia being a major producer of gas and oil.

This war therefore has direct consequences on the portfolio of the British and the inflation rate is likely to be one of the highest for thirty years.

For Kate Bell, in charge of the economy at the Federative Organization of British Trade Unions (Trade Union Congress), which has 7 million members, new subsidies must be put in place.

Two Russian ships turned back

The Minister of the Economy must, for his part, massively increase the level of social security.

Ten years of reduced benefits have in fact weakened the ability of families to cope with this crisis.

And if Rishi Sunak is looking for funds, he could find them by levying taxes on the profits of energy companies that have profited from the gas crisis and association with Russian companies.

Friday, March 4, dockers in Kent, in the south-east of the country, turned

carrying natural gas, a gesture that wants to be in solidarity with Ukraine.

In their letter, the unions call on the government to provide financial assistance to the Ukrainian people and to take in the refugees.

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