If this is genuinely a levelling-up budget, then business rate reform must be at the top of the agenda Posted on 11th March 2020 by Anna Birley Town centres are the beating heart of communities – but they are struggling to survive, especially in our most deprived neighbourhoods. Business rate reform is critical to save the sector and support our town centres.
Now more than ever, the Chancellor should learn lessons from the co-operative sector Posted on 10th March 2020 (10th March 2020) by Anna Birley Co-operation offers an antidote to many of the economy’s failings, from poor productivity to corporate tax avoidance – so this budget should learn the lessons offered by the co-operative sector.
As today’s report on shopworker abuse shows, violence and threats are #NotPartOfTheJob Posted on 5th March 2020 by Anna Birley Harassment, violence and abuse for performing your job? A new report out today shows that this is the reality that 424 shop workers on average have to face each and every day.
Is commonhold the answer to leaseholders trapped by unsafe cladding? Posted on 21st February 2020 (19th January 2023) by Anna Birley Nine in ten private blocks with Grenfell-style cladding are still covered in cladding – meaning leaseholders are stuck in unsafe homes with significant bills. These voters need Labour – work with the Co-operative Party on leasehold reform and commonhold tenure are a good start.
A Co-operative Manifesto for London Posted on 30th January 2020 (12th February 2021) by Anna Birley Our first chance to bounce back after the General Election is a resounding win in the GLA elections – so we are engaging with Sadiq’s team to make sure we have an ambitious manifesto to help make that happen. And we’re clear that it’s not just what you do, it’s the way that you do it.
To get our railways back on track we need democratic public ownership Posted on 23rd January 2020 (23rd January 2020) by Anna Birley Not even a month into a new decade, two more of Britain’s railway operators are in trouble. The Government’s short term nationalisation plans aren’t the answer: only democratic public ownership will create accountable railways run for the benefit of passengers and staff.
Now we’re (sausage) rolling: Greggs shares its profits Posted on 16th January 2020 by Anna Birley Greggs, the high street baker renowned for steak bakes and sending Piers Morgan into a rage over vegetable-based flakey pastry, announced last week they were sharing their better than expected profits with their workforce.
Our top ten wins for the co-operative movement in Labour’s manifesto Posted on 21st November 2019 (20th February 2020) by Anna Birley Labour’s manifesto includes many of the ideas put forward in our ‘Building a fairer future’ policy platform. Here’s a list of some of our favourites – proposals that will ensure co-operative values and principles are at the heart of the next Parliament.
The solution to poor quality student housing: co-operation Posted on 25th October 2019 (19th January 2023) by Anna Birley This month Student Co-op Homes have launched a share offer to radically change the face of student housing for the better.