19th May 2020 Virtual meetings have helped our members to keep co-operating — with promising results James Butler Campaigns Officer A growing number of branches across the country are holding remote meetings during lockdown, sparking more ideas, more diversity and more participation.
15th May 2020 The Welsh Government is leading the way on tax justice Alun Davies Member of the Welsh Parliament
13th May 2020 Building a Co-operative Recovery Jo Platt Former Labour & Co-op MP and member of the Greater Manchester Co-operative Commission Cliff Mills Member of the Greater Manchester Co-operative Commission We are passionate about wanting people and institutions to continue co-operating out of lockdown: not to lapse back to competing with each other at the first opportunity.
13th May 2020 Our response to the COVID-19 crisis must include key workers abroad Alice Lucas Policy & Advocacy Manager, the Fairtrade Foundation Angharad Hopkinson Campaigns & Policy Officer, the Fairtrade Foundation The COVID-19 crisis has exposed the fragility of global supply chains and the importance of ensuring sustainable livelihoods for the farmers and workers within them. The Fairtrade movement is supporting farmers and workers in developing countries through this crisis, and are calling for urgent action in the face of the rising poverty set to take its toll on communities around the globe.
8th May 2020 Consumer Scotland needs to deliver for Scottish consumers Jackie Baillie Member of the Scottish Parliament
8th May 2020 Childcare workers are everyday heroes – and they need more Government support Tulip Siddiq Shadow Minister for Early Years Government inaction has already put the childcare sector under unnecessary strain – proper engagement on how we move forward with the sector is now essential.
24th April 2020 The Scottish Government must support Fair Tax in public procurement Rhoda Grant MSP MSP for Highlands and Islands
24th April 2020 No Bailouts for Tax Avoiders Paul Monaghan Chief Executive of Fair Tax Mark Any Government bailouts provided to companies due to the coronavirus should have three simple Fair Tax conditions, so tax avoiders cannot benefit from a public purse that they haven’t paid into.
23rd April 2020 Credit unions are the blueprint for a responsible finance sector – and their actions during this crisis prove it Anna Birley Policy Officer Coronavirus has shone a spotlight on the difference a responsible finance sector can make. While the big banks are accused of profiteering from this crisis, credit unions have been stepping up across the country to support their communities.
22nd April 2020 Solidarity and reform are the only way that football will survive coronavirus Tom Greatrex Vice-Chair of the Football Supporters' Association and a former Labour & Co-operative MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West. The Co-operative Party has long campaigned for better governance in sport, and that fans should have a greater role in owning and running their clubs. Covid-19 has been a shock for many clubs - especially those smaller and lower league clubs who play a vital community role. For the game to survive, fundamental reform will be needed.
21st April 2020 Polesworth & Birchmoor Covid-19 Support Group Adam Farrell Labour & Co-operative District Councillor and Leader of North Warwickshire Labour Group
21st April 2020 Co-operative Parliamentarians are continuing to play an active role – with or without Parliament Jim McMahon Chair of the Co-operative Party Parliamentary Group and Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Parliament may have been on an enforced break, but that doesn't mean Co-operative parliamentarians haven't still working hard to represent the co-operative movement.
17th April 2020 Welsh Government launches additional COVID-19 support for co-ops Lee Waters Welsh Assembly Member Lee Waters, Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport writes for us on the launch of the Welsh Government's Economic Resilience Fund
14th April 2020 As Scottish Labour’s Deputy Leader, let’s work together Jackie Baillie Member of the Scottish Parliament
11th April 2020 The Coronavirus crisis has exposed the inadequacies of our response to food poverty Jane Middleton Food poverty campaigner Food insecurity is not a new experience for many, as Jane Middleton writes. The Labour Hunger Campaign sets out why they believe the government cannot continue to abandon people to an overburdened patchwork system of voluntary food aid during this crisis.
10th April 2020 There has never been a more important time to co-operate Rachel Blake Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Planning, Air Quality and Tackling Poverty Rachel Blake talks about why co-operation and community activism are at the heart of the response to Covid-19.
7th April 2020 Welsh Government supports our key retail workers with free childcare Karen Wilkie Deputy General Secretary & Company Board Secretary The Welsh Labour and Co-operative Government is launching a coronavirus childcare assistance scheme to support Wales’ critical workers.
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 and Opposition Whip 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.