Your Views on the Winter Fuel Allowance

Thank you to the 1,070 CPF Members from at least 342 constituencies who responded to our Winter Fuel Allowance survey, plus the 382 or more Members who participated in small-group discussions organised by the CPF online and in-person around the country.

Almost three-quarters (72.4%) of CPF Members or their relatives are personally concerned or very concerned about the Labour Government’s changed approach to helping older people manage their heating needs during periods of colder weather each winter.

The most frequently mentioned measures for which members think Conservatives should campaign to help deliver sustainable retirement incomes for the country’s population included:

1. Reinstate Universal Winter Fuel Allowance: With some proposals suggesting taxation or adjustments for wealthier recipients.

2. Simplify Pension Systems: Including streamlining pension arrangements, reducing administrative burdens and improving transparency.

3. Raise Awareness and Education on Retirement Planning: Introduce financial literacy programs in schools and “midlife sense checks” to encourage savings.

Several international models were mentioned as examples that could be adapted to UK policy in ways that:

• Strengthen retirement savings and pensions (Switzerland, Singapore, Australia).

• Improve elderly care through local community support (Japan, South Korea).

• Make taxation fairer to ensure long-term economic stability (Sweden, France, Hungary). 

As usual, a more detailed report of members’ views has been shared with the Party’s leadership.