You may remember that last month James Kelly posted about our work to promote co-operatives within the Scottish Procurement Bill, which is currently making its way through the scrutiny process in Hollyrood.

The Bill makes important changes to the way in which public sector bodies in Scotland purchase goods and services, and provides  a golden opportunity for them to use procurement to drive the development of co-operative enterprises.

To ensure that happens though, we need to ensure that co-operatives are specifically referenced in the procurement rules, and that the rules take proper account of the unique nature of co-operatives and the specific business problems they face. 

That’s why Labour/Co-operative MSPs in the Scottish Parliament have been working to push SNP ministers to amend the Bill.

Last week James Kelly MSP tabled and had debated an important amendment making sure that co-operative development was inserted in to the sustainable procurement duties on authorities. This proposal has been received well by many, involved in co-operative development in Scotland. 

Regrettably Nicola Sturgeon didn’t agree. Despite the warm words from the Deputy First Minister an alliance of SNP and Conservative MSPs on the committee ensured that the amendments promoting co-operatives were defeated.

James Kelly MSP will be bringing similar amendments forward at Stage 3 consideration of this bill and that he will be working with Scottish Labour and Co-operative MSPs to ensure that the important place of co-operatives in the Scottish economy is recognised when this bill becomes law. 

Click here to tell Nicola Sturgeon it’s time to back co-operatives in the Scottish Procurement Reform Bill