Campaigners gathered in Glastonbury on Monday as part of a national day of action organised by Unite to protest against the rising cost of energy and demand public ownership of the energy sector.

The local protest, which took place in the sunshine, saw residents signing postcards, engaging in conversation, and supporting Unite's Energy for All campaign.

Organisers said the atmosphere was friendly and welcoming, with Glastonbury locals taking time to stop, listen and show their support.

The action coincided with the latest rise in the energy price cap, which came into effect on 1 April. The increase is expected to push electricity bills up by more than 6 per cent, adding pressure to households already struggling with the cost of living. The rise came on the same day as increases to council tax and water bills.

Unite said energy bills in the UK are already the highest in Europe, and that millions of people are now being forced to choose between heating and eating.

"Nobody should be dying in one of the richest countries in the world because they can't afford to stay warm," a Unite spokesperson said. "This is a crisis that needs action, not excuses."

The union said around 8 million people in the UK struggle to pay their energy bills, and an estimated 7,000 people die each year due to cold homes. Protesters in Glastonbury joined over 40 other locations across the UK taking part in Monday's coordinated action.

The Energy for All campaign has been running since 2023 and calls for an end to fuel poverty and a national, publicly-owned energy system. Unite also criticised energy regulator OFGEM, claiming it had "failed to protect consumers from repeated price hikes".

Campaigners are also supporting Unite's Defend the Winter Fuel Allowance campaign, which demands the reinstatement of the Winter Fuel Payment and calls for a wealth tax to help fund it. Unite is currently pursuing a judicial review on the matter.

For more information about the campaign, visit: https://unitetheunion.org