Union leaders and MPs warned that the Prime Min­i­s­ter would lead Labour to electoral defeat if he ignores people’s financial problems.

The PM sparked anger after effectively ruling out cash handouts to help families with this winter’s fuel bills, saying he would concentrate instead on measures to cut bills permanently, rather than “short-term gimmicks or giveaways”.

A Government package to be announced next week is expected to focus on improving home energy efficiency rather than handing out extra cash.

But critics warn that simply “lagging lofts” will not be enough to save Mr Brown’s ailing premiership. Unions are demanding a windfall tax on energy companies’ profits to help vulnerable customers.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said if the Government failed to help people through the difficult times, it risked “badly losing public and electoral support”. 

* Do YOU think Brown has betrayed hardworking Britons?

* Will the Prime Minister lead Labour to electoral defeat if he ignores people's financial problems?

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