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2. FAMILY MATTERS:
How Concerns for Younger
Relatives Bridge
Generational Divides
Dr Zack Grant, Nuffield Politics Research Centre,
Nuffield College, Oxford
13th September 2023, Resolution Foundation, London

3. ‘Family Matters’ in Politics
Intergenerational inequality means many older voters:
a) Will have financially struggling young relatives.
b) May feel secure enough to prioritise others.
Older adults with struggling younger relatives might vote on their behalf as:
1. Emotional bonds.
2. Linked fates (‘enlightened self-interest’).

4. The ‘Intergenpol-GB’ Survey
YouGov survey of 6,021 adults (c.4,400 40+) in Britain, August 2022.
Asked attitudes to family, gen divides, tax/spend policies + vote choice.
Key question:
“Thinking about your own close family, how well are family members in
the following age groups doing financially, on average?”
(0-10, ‘doing very badly’ to ‘doing very well’).
Ask about close family aged 18-39 (‘young adults’), 40-59 and 60+. If
wellbeing is <5 / 10, relatives classed as ‘financially struggling’.

5. Overall, 1-in-4 People Aged 40+ Have
Financially Struggling Young Adult Relatives

6. Family Fortunes Voters
Aged 40+ with struggling younger relatives.
17% of all potential British voters.
Overlooked but important.
‘Family Fortunes Voters’ think differently,
prioritise differently, + vote differently
than others their age.

7. People aged 60+ with Financially Struggling Younger
Relatives Think Differently about Housing, Education and
Childcare
72 70
60
74
57
61
57
43
65
47
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Building More
Affordable Housing
Locally
Building More
Council Housing
Locally
Increasing Free
University
Education
Increasing Free
Vocat-Tech
Education
Increasing Free
Childcare for Pre-
Schoolers
%
'Support'
or
'Strongly
Support'
Aged 60+ & Younger Relatives Struggling All People Aged 60+
Note: ‘Don’t Knows’ Excluded.

8. ‘Suppose the government was going to spend more money in three of
the following areas. Which would you prioritise? Please select three’
State pensions
Elderly social care
Public transport for pensioners
Winter fuel allowances for pensioners
Affordable housing
Childcare services
Vocational/technical education
University education
New solar/wind/tidal energy projects
UK’s border force
Prioritise
Pensioner
Services
Prioritise
Youth
Services
Prioritise
Neither

9. People aged 60+ with Financially Struggling Younger
Relatives Prioritise Differently…
46
70
36
60
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Prioritised More
Affordable Housing
Prioritised at Least One Policy
Aimed at Young Adults
%
Prioritising
Aged 60+ & Younger Relatives Struggling All People Aged 60+
Note: ‘Don’t Knows’ Excluded.

10. People aged 60+ with Financially Struggling Younger
Relatives Vote Differently…
28
37
48
35
0
10
20
30
40
50
All People Aged 60+ Aged 60+ & Younger Relatives Struggling
%
Vote
Intention
Vote Intention: Labour Vote Intention: Conservative
Note: ‘Don’t Knows’ Excluded.

11. Conclusions and Implications…
People aged 40+ that have financially-struggling young adult relatives
made up 17% of the British electorate as of August 2022.
These ‘Family Fortunes Voters’ think differently, prioritise differently, and
vote differently than others their age.
Both major parties could appeal to these voters by promising to improve
the wellbeing of their loved ones. Labour currently benefitting.
Access to affordable housing and vocational education programmes are
areas particularly ripe for intergenerational consensus policy-making.

12. Family Matters:
How Concerns for Younger Relatives
Bridge Generational Divides
https://politicscentre.nuffield.ox.ac.uk/research/family-matters/

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