9th April 2025 Fair trade nation status is more than a title; it is a commitment to social justice, sustainability and global solidarity Colin Smyth MSP for South Scotland There was a debate in the Scottish Parliament this week to mark Scotland retaining its status as a Fair Trade Nation. Colin Smyth MSP is the Convener of the Cross-Party group on Fair Trade in the Scottish Parliament and shares his thoughts on this award for Scotland and the importance of the wider co-operative movement to Fairtrade.
9th April 2025 How mutual financial services could support SMEs to grow across all UK regions Daniel Monaghan Policy Officer The decentralised, relationship-based model of these mutual financial institutions allows them to stay more connected to the communities they serve.
7th April 2025 Land reform must empower communities Rhoda Grant MSP MSP for Highlands and Islands The purpose of land reform is to empower communities, build economies and retain populations. Those things impact service provision, national and community wealth and the sustainability of the Gaelic language.
4th April 2025 GB Energy First Projects Announcement Daniel Monaghan Policy Officer GB Energy will be pivotal in the delivery of the Local Power Plan (LPP) – a key part of Labour’s climate mission. The LPP represents the largest Government commitment to community energy expansion in British history – with the ambition of generating 8GW of new energy – equivalent to 3 new nuclear power stations.
27th March 2025 Social Clubs: Old ideas, new solutions Michael Bell National Executive Committee Member for North East & North Cumbria. Clubs are as important as public libraries and parks, if they're managed well and understand what they are and what they have.
19th March 2025 Clubs are the answer to our connection crisis Kirsty McNeill MP Scottish Labour & Co-operative MP for Midlothian and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Scotland Office Clubs matter because they aren’t simply places we can go: clubs are places we can belong.
8th March 2025 For women around the world, co-operatives are more than just businesses. Caitlin Prowle Head of Political Affairs This International Women’s Day, we’re reflecting on the power of the co-operative model to change the lives of women and girls around the globe, and calling on the government to promote co-operation and its potential on the world stage.
8th March 2025 Celebrating International Women’s Day: Accelerate Action Rachel Burgin Co-operative Party Women's Network Secretary The co-operative movement has a long and noble history of gender equality from its earliest days. Together, we can create a world where every woman and girl can thrive.
4th March 2025 Rebuilding neighbourhoods, rebuilding community Baroness Hilary Armstrong Chair of Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods In our Stories from Community Britain series, Baroness Hilary Armstrong, Chair of Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods, writes about why investment and control at a neighbourhood level is essential for rebuilding communities.