- Conference
- 2025 National Retired Members Conference
- Date
- 9 June 2025
- Decision
- Carried as Amended
Conference notes that:
1) Fuel Poverty Action (FPA) has been a vocal and dynamic campaign group for those suffering fuel poverty which includes significant numbers of UNISON Retired Members and older people who have suffered from attacks such as withdrawal of the Winter Fuel Allowance. It has run a campaign for ‘Safe Cladding and Insulation Now’ and energy-efficient housing and has helped residents many of whom are older retired members raise awareness of problems with district heating systems.
2) It has led the fight against fuel poverty with the Energy For All campaign. This demand Energy For All was backed by over 660,000 signatures in a petition handed in to Downing Street. It calls for every household to get the energy needed for essentials, free, with higher prices for luxury use and funding from the profits of the industry giants. The principle is supported by a wide range of grassroots organisations, and 75% of the population and the TUC.
3) The group has already gained the support of some trade unions including BFAWU, and PCS, from branches of UNISON and Unite the Union, and from the TUC LESE Pensioners Network. It continues to campaign jointly with Unite via the Unite For Energy For All campaign, the Housing Workers Branch (LE1111), and the Social Housing Action Campaign (SHAC)
4) FPA has only a small, dedicated team of people, mostly volunteers, and is seeking support for future campaigning. Support from the trade union movement through regular donations of whatever size will do wonders to sustain their vital work. They are also looking for financial support for a Fringe meeting at the TUC conference this Autumn.
Conference instructs the National Retired Members Committee to:
1) Use appropriate publicity to campaign for:
a) Branch Retired Members Committees and Regional Retired Members Committees to affiliate to FPA
b) Our members to sign up for a monthly donation as individuals
2) Add itself as a signatory of the Energy For All manifesto