3rd April 2020 How Co-operative Councils are fighting for food justice during the Coronavirus crisis Cllr Chris Kennedy Cabinet Member for Food Justice at Hackney Council Co-operative values have never been more important, because tackling this crisis will take more than one institution or single area of society.
1st April 2020 The Government’s first modern slavery statement is a good first step – but there’s still a long way to go James Butler Campaigns Officer Victims of modern slavery are more vulnerable during the Covid-19 lockdown, so last week's publication of the Government's first modern slavery statement is a welcome development. But it is clear that to eradicate the scourge of modern slavery for good, a lot more work is needed.
31st March 2020 Community shops are a lifeline for customers in rural areas and they need our support Anna Birley Policy Officer Community shops make sure those who can't travel to supermarkets can still get the food they need - but they are concerned about their supplies during Covid-19. Find out how you can help your local community shop continue to support their vulnerable customers.
31st March 2020 I’ve swapped Councillor meetings for stacking shelves to do my bit to keep Britain going Cllr Joanna West Labour & Co-operative Councillor for Osmaston and Sinfin As a Labour and Co-operative Party Councillor, I always try to do my best for people. So when I was asked if I’d be happy to help support the Central England Co-operative during the current pandemic, I happily said yes.
30th March 2020 Nurseries need more support and guidance to continue playing their vital role during Covid-19 Florence Eshalomi Labour & Co-operative MP for Vauxhall Last week I wrote to the Government asking for better support and guidance for the childcare sector and nursery workers - they provide a crucial role through this crisis and will be vital to regrowing our economy when the COVID-19 lockdown finishes,
27th March 2020 Lowest Earners and the Self-Employed will bear the Finanical Brunt of Covid-19 Rhoda Grant MSP MSP for Highlands and Islands It is clear that it will be these households that will bear the financial brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic and that there exists the clear and present danger that these households may slip into poverty.
25th March 2020 Standing up for food retail workers in Scotland Richard McCready Political Officer In these difficult times we will be supporting our fellow co-operators in the food retail sector and supporting their trade unions as they make the case to be allowed to continue to feed the country.
25th March 2020 The Co-operative Difference Georgia O’Brien Digital and Communications Officer Co-ops being different from usual businesses helps them make a difference in their communities. Never has that difference been more stark or more necessary.
24th March 2020 As Coronavirus hits our economy, the self employed are being left behind Kate Dearden Head of Research, Policy & External Relations at Community the Union The Government is yet to provide the support that the UK's 5 million self-employed workers need during the Covid-19 outbreak - putting their health, livelihoods and homes at risk. We're working with the trade union movement to call for urgent support and protection for those workers.
23rd March 2020 It’s time for us all to do what we can Cllr Kemi Akinola CEO/MD of Be Enriched and Brixton People's Kitchen, and Labour Councillor in Wandsworth We’ve all being asked to keep our distance from each other, but it’s possible to be more together whilst staying apart.
20th March 2020 Social care will be on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis Emma Hoddinott Local Government Officer Our movement provides answers where there is need, and social care is no exception; there are already practical examples of a more caring system that values the care users and carers.
19th March 2020 Coop’d up at home? 6 tips to be a better shopper during coronavirus Ian Hayes Policy Intern The outbreak of Covid-19 has shown the world what we in the co-operative sector already know - that our retail workers are heroes. Through thick and thin, they continue to go to work on tills, stocking shelves and making deliveries - ensuring we are clothed, fed and safe. it isn't an easy job, especially in the current circumstances. In the spirit of co-operation, we can make sure we're making small changes to our daily lives to make sure we don't make their job harder.
14th March 2020 Now more than ever we need an economy that shares its rewards more fairly – but this week’s budget doesn’t deliver Anneliese Dodds Shadow Minister (Treasury) We enter this crisis with an economy ill prepared - not only did this week's budget fail to repair a decade of austerity, it was a missed opportunity to reshape our economy for the better.
13th March 2020 Coronavirus is giving us all a taste of food insecurity Clara Widdison Programme Manager for Kitchen Social at the Mayor's Fund for London For most of us in the UK, Coronavirus has elicited the first genuine concerns about our ability to feed ourselves and our families. But for many families, food insecurity is an every day experience.
11th March 2020 If this is genuinely a levelling-up budget, then business rate reform must be at the top of the agenda Jim McMahon Chair Co-operative Party Parliamentary Group and Shadow Minister Communities and Local Government 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.
10th March 2020 Now more than ever, the Chancellor should learn lessons from the co-operative sector Jonathan Reynolds Shadow Economic Secretary (Treasury) 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.
6th March 2020 It’s hard for women in politics – and we on the left can’t afford to be complacent Kate Osamor Labour & Co-operative MP for Edmonton We are told that the has never been a better time to be a woman in politics – but if this is true, why are we still so underrepresented at every level?
5th March 2020 As today’s report on shopworker abuse shows, violence and threats are #NotPartOfTheJob Ian Hayes Policy Intern 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.
4th March 2020 Co-operative Party Assembly Group backs #SheDeserves campaign for Living Wages and Fair Trade Huw Irranca-Davies Chair of the National Assembly for Wales Co-operative Group / Grwp Cydweithredol Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru Wales was the first in the world to become a Fair Trade Nation, and we will continue to work with women producers until they get what #SheDeserves.
4th March 2020 I’ve seen the difference Fairtrade can make – but that progress is under threat. Preet Gill Labour & Co-operative MP for Birmingham Edgbaston and Shadow Minister for International Development Fairtrade Fortnight should be a time to celebrate the success of just trade – but the potential closure of DFID and the Government’s post-Brexit trade agreements threaten to open countries up to more exploitation.
27th February 2020 Time to invest in our local communities Sarah Boyack MSP It is time for a fair deal for local government that will allow councils to provide the vital services that communities badly need.
27th February 2020 Not another quango – Consumer Scotland must empower consumers Jackie Baillie Member of the Scottish Parliament For a body dealing with consumer issues, it is important that consumers are represented.
21st February 2020 Is commonhold the answer to leaseholders trapped by unsafe cladding? Dermot Mckibbin Housing activist and Co-operative Party member 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.
6th February 2020 Scottish Co-op MSPs challenge the Scottish Government to stop the cuts to our communities Rhoda Grant MSP MSP for Highlands and Islands Sarah Boyack MSP It is high time that the SNP Government provided councils with the resources that they need and bring an end to the age of austerity in our councils.
5th February 2020 How will new Scottish National Investment Bank support co-ops? Claudia Beamish MSP for South Scotland and Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change It is important that co-operatives and mutually owned businesses are recognised and encouraged through the Scottish National Investment Bank.
30th January 2020 A Co-operative Manifesto for London Ria Bernard Volunteer Co-ordinator, Co-operative Party Women's Network Joe Simpson Co-operative Party Representative to London Labour Regional Board 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.