A LEADING trade union is taking steps for urgent legal action against the government’s decision to cut winter fuel payments to all but the poorest of pensioners as temperatures drop.

Unite revealed today that it has formally applied to the High Court for leave to go forward with a full judicial review of the plan.

General secretary Sharon Graham said Labour’s decision to “pick the pocket of pensioners was wrong on every level,” adding: “The government has been given every opportunity to reverse its decision and has failed to do so.