Must-read 6 Steps to Build Community WealthUsing what we already have to generate local economic growth co-operatively
22nd January 2018 Gareth Thomas demands high-cost lenders pay for the damage they cause Archived: Ben West Communications & Digital Officer In Parliament this afternoon, Co-operative Party Chair Gareth Thomas called for high-cost lenders such as BrightHouse to be required to pay towards the cost of providing debt advice for hard-pressed consumers.
2nd November 2017 Regulators just fined BrightHouse for vulture lending practices. Here’s how we take them off the high street for good. Anna Heard With the FCA clamping down on rent-to-own lenders, credit unions are taking them on with a fair and ethical alternative of their own.
4th October 2017 Social tenants have been ignored for too long – it’s time for Theresa May to bring back the National Tenant Voice Archived: Ben West Communications & Digital Officer The Co-operative Party has written to Prime Minister calling for her to re-establish the National Tenant Voice organisation that was disbanded by the Coalition Government in which she served.
23rd March 2017 Trickle down economics is dead, and community wealth is replacing it. Archived: Ben West Communications & Digital Officer Emma Hoddinott Assistant General Secretary (Representation & Political Affairs) Over the past week, we've welcomed Ted Howard, founder of the Democracy Collaborative, to the UK to learn more about a model which is making policy makers across the political spectrum in the US sit up and take notice, and seeing what the lessons might be for communities the UK.
13th February 2017 Tech giants make billions from our most intimate personal data. Isn’t it time we took back control? Hugh Goulbourne Chair of the Huddersfield and Colne Valley Co-op Party From what we buy and eat to how we sleep and socialise, big data is transforming our lives. And through data co-operatives, we have the chance to ensure it benefits us all, not just big business
10th February 2017 Pushing the Scottish Government to go further to support co-operatives Richard McCready Political Officer (Scotland) This week the Scottish Parliament examined the Scottish Government's plans to support co-operative and social enterprise in Scotland. So why does the paper fail to include any mention of the development body the scottish government established to do just that?
10th January 2017 It’s time to enable small businesses to work together to get a better deal from banks. Christina Rees Small and medium-sized businesses are the cornerstone of the UK economy. Enabling them to support one another via mutual guarantee societies will ensure we all benefit from the jobs and investment they create.
13th December 2016 Germany has thousands of banks. The UK has just five, and it’s strangling our economy. Archived: Ben West Communications & Digital Officer On a recent trip to Germany, we saw the difference a diverse, public-driven banking system can make. Now this week Co-operative MPs have been working to bring these approaches to the UK.
2nd December 2016 Calling time on nuisance callers James Kelly Our co-operative movement has long been at the forefront of protecting consumers - and it's time for co-operators to take the lead in tackling nuisance calls.
14th November 2016 Texan taxi drivers are showing there’s a co-operative alternative to the Uber economy Virginia Doherty A co-operative owned by taxi drivers in Austin Texas is putting them back in control of fares, fees and working conditions - enabling them to serve communities left behind by ride-sharing apps
11th November 2016 Small businesses in Europe work together to access finance and share risk – why shouldn’t those in the UK? Virginia Doherty Too often, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) struggle to access the finance they need to grow. But in Europe, mutual guarantee societies provide a solution we can learn from.
7th November 2016 To double the size of the co-operative economy, we need to clear the roadblocks that stand in the way benwest A Bill to be introduced by Labour & Co-operative MPs tomorrow aims to cut back red tape and bring regulation of co-ops in line with other types of businesses
20th October 2016 We were successful in regulating pay-day lenders. But this International Credit Union day, there’s still more to do. Ed Miliband International Credit Union day is our chance to celebrate how far we've come - and to raise public awareness too.
18th October 2016 The Government says it wants to encourage more of us to save – credit unions must be part of the solution Archived: Ben West Communications & Digital Officer Help to Save is a huge opportunity to further support and expand credit unions - and Co-operative MPs are working to ensure they're included in the Government's plans
5th July 2016 Co-operative MPs tell government to back mutual solution to financial exclusion benwest As traditional banks abandon many of our poorest communities, Co-operative MPs have called for financial mutuals such as building societies and credit unions to take their place.
21st June 2016 Co-operative MSPs Mark Co-operatives Fortnight Johann Lamont Chair, Co-operative Party Scottish Parliament Group Co-operatives have a long and distinguished history in Scotland - but it is important that the Scottish Government and local authorities look to promote co-operatives in twenty-first century Scotland too.
26th May 2016 Co-operation between European countries? Co-operatives depend on it. Andrew Raimondi Co-operation between European countries remains crucial for the co-operative movements within them to thrive.
3rd May 2016 Co-operatives are thriving in Plymouth – here’s how the Labour & Co-operative council is making it happen. benwest Local government officer Emma Hoddinott reports back on last week's visit to Plymouth, where councillors are this week campaigning to keep Labour & Co-operative control of the City Council.
17th March 2016 Scottish Co-operative Party Backs Credit Union Charter Richard McCready Political Officer (Scotland) Co-operative Party MSP candidates have backed ABCUL's charter calling for Scotland to become a 'Credit Union Nation'
25th February 2016 Johann Lamont: SNP treating co-operatives as ‘last resort’ Andrew Raimondi Labour & Co-operative MSP calls on the SNP-run Scottish government to show greater ambition in championing the co-operative sector
4th February 2016 Is cracking down on corporate tax dodgers the ‘new fairtrade’? Archived: Ben West Communications & Digital Officer Admidst public outrage at tax avoidance, the co-operative-backed Fair Tax Mark is helping consumers to distinguish corporate tax dodgers from those who pay their fair share.
4th December 2015 EU backs calls for fair tax mark Paul Monaghan Chief Executive of Fair Tax Mark The European Union has joined calls for recognition of companies who pay their fair share of tax
15th October 2015 Armed forces credit union launched to give services alternative to payday lenders benwest From today, service personnel and their families will be able to borrow and save money via a dedicated armed forces credit union.
29th November 2014 Government announces support for armed forces credit unions benwest Following a Co-operative Party-led campaign, the Government has said it will work with credit unions to safeguard service personnel from predatory lenders
30th May 2014 Helping credit unions beat the Market Joe Goldberg In Haringey, we are helping credit unions do what they do best – beating payday lenders at their own game
8th April 2014 Give Them Credit Chris Evans Shadow Minister for Procurement The creation of an armed forces credit union would improve the availability of affordable financial services to armed forces families. It's time for the MoD to give it proper support.
19th March 2014 Scottish Procurement Bill benwest The Bill provides a golden opportunity to support co-op enterprises across Scotland. But Nicola Sturgeon is standing in the way.
28th February 2014 Leading the way on fair tax Paul Monaghan Chief Executive of Fair Tax Mark The scandal of corporate tax avoidance is now a key issue for consumers. And with the launch of the Fair Tax Mark, Co-operatives are leading the way.
6th February 2014 Our growing movement Alex Sobel Shadow Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs The co-operative sector in Leeds is booming - as my afternoon spent visiting them with Karin Christiansen showed
22nd January 2014 Co-operation can drive innovation Su Maddock Developing economies are showing that co-operation can play a key role in technological and economic innovation
Co-operatives Unleashed: Doubling the size of the UK’s Co-operative SectorAn independent report from the New Economics Foundation (NEF) commissioned by the Co-operative Party
6 Steps to Build Community WealthUsing what we already have to generate local economic growth co-operatively