The role of the NPF is to oversee the process of policy development, discussing and amending policy documents which then feed into Labour Party Conference and its election manifestos.

In advance of last weekend’s NPF meeting, the Co-operative Party’s representatives submitted a number of policy amendments, setting out co-operative and mutual solutions in a range of areas. All were accepted by the NPF, demonstrating a real appetite within the Labour Party for solutions based on co-operative and mutual principles.

The following is a summary of Co-operative Party policy amendments that were submitted and accepted:

1. Armed Forces Credit Union
   We secured a commitment to establishment of a dedicated Armed Forces credit union, which would be designed to meet the specific financial needs of members of the armed forces and their families. There is evidence that service personnel are currently under-served by high street banks, with some turning to payday lenders as an alternative. Britain’s armed forces credit union would be inspired by the example of Navy Federal, the World’s largest credit union.
2. Energy
   An agreement was reached to broaden models for co-operative municipal and community-owned energy. There was also support for the development of community direct supply, which would enable community energy firms to supply energy directly to local people, providing an affordable and accountable alternative to the ‘Big 6’ energy suppliers.
3. Schools
   The NPF recognised the work of co-operative schools, which have seen incredible growth in recent years, providing a voice for parents, staff, pupils and the communities they serve. The Co-operative Party also achieved a commitment to promoting co-operation between schools through the formation of ‘clusters’ to share resources, facilities and expertise with one another.
4. Childcare
   We achieved a recognition of the role of childcare co-operatives, and will support co-operatives, social enterprises and charities in the sector.
5. Housing
   Housing co-operatives, which play a huge role in Europe and elsewhere, currently lack a secure legal framework in the UK. The NPF agreed to explore the possible introduction of legal co-operative housing tenure. There was also agreement on the need for support for housing associations and ALMOs to adopt mutual models, giving tenants a greater voice.
6. Health
   10 years on from the introduction of Foundation Trusts, the NPF agreed that we need to do more to strengthen the role and involvement of members. This would mark a return to the original co-operative ambition that lay behind the introduction of Foundation Trusts, giving patients and members of the local community a much greater say in how health services are delivered.

Co-operatives and social sector

1. Community Co-operatives/Rural
   There was agreement on the need to find new ways of empowering community and rural co-operatives, ensuring that they are aware of their rights and better able to use them. NPF also agreed to investigate whether further legal rights for rural co-operatives is needed.
2. Co-operatives and social enterprises
   The NPF agreed on the need to explore ways of better supporting the co-operative and social economy, including mechanisms to enable employee ownership where appropriate.
3. British Investment Bank
   We won a commitment that any proposed British Investment Bank  will provide support to the social economy including co-ops, social enterprise and charities.

Transport

The future shape of Britain’s railway network was a key area of debate at this year’s NPF, and an issue which  the Co-operative Party has long campaigned on. At the NPF we won important agreements that would ensure that whichever model is adopted, co-operative and mutual principles are at its heart:

• Co-operative principles will be used increase passenger and employee engagement/accountability;
• An agreement to explore the potential of co-operative and mutual models;
• Commitment to the creation of a new representative body for passengers within Network Rail

Finance and pensions

1. Payday lending and credit unions
   • There was agreement on the introduction of a levy on payday lenders. The proceeds of this levy would be used to build the capacity of credit unions and other providers, providing affordable alternatives.
   • NPF agreed on the need for the accelerated development of the the credit union sector, including a commitment to cap the cost of credit by implementing all FCA’s recent recommendation including a requirement for regular reviews
   • A push to promote payroll deduction (particularly by public-sector employers) as a means of supporting credit unions
2. Banking transparency
   A commitment to the disclosure and analysis of banking data, using it to promote accountability and drive reform within the banking industry.
3. Pensions
   Commitment to new rights to information and participation for members as part of a new overall framework for membership accountability.

The widespread acceptance of the Co-operative Party’s amendments demonstrates the extent to which mutual and co-operative solutions are now a key part of Labour’s thinking. The Co-operative Party will be working hard in coming months to ensure that these ideas are at the heart of the next Labour & Co-operative government’s agenda, and form an important part of its 2015 General Election manifesto.