Must-read 6 Steps to Build Community WealthUsing what we already have to generate local economic growth co-operatively
8th August 2022 The cost of living crisis demands action Tracy Brabin Metro Mayor for West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin on why we need urgent action to tackle the financial timebomb that awaits families this winter.
4th August 2022 The Government must go further to tackle financial corruption. Rob Bates Political and Parliamentary Officer The recently introduced Register of Overseas Entities is a vital tool to crack down on money laundering in the UK. However the Government should go further, with the introduction of a second Economic Crime Bill in the next Parliament and arm Companies House with the proper support, resources and powers to deal with the scale of the problem.
24th June 2022 On Employee Ownership Day, we need action by the Scottish Government. Paul Sweeney MSP for Glasgow On Employee Ownership Day, Paul Sweeney MSP calls for real action from the Scottish Government to deliver their own target of 500 Employee-Owned Businesses in Scotland by 2030.
13th April 2022 Urgent action is needed to save access to cash for so many across the country. Martin Bailey Labour & Co-operative Candidate for Vauxhall Ward on Lambeth Council Levelling-up, across the entire UK, means not leaving those already on the fringes of our increasingly technology based society even further behind with no means to catch-up.
29th March 2022 Power to Change’s new report provides a strong argument on why community-led initiatives are a key way to unlocking our high streets. Daniel Monaghan Policy Officer Last week saw the charitable trust, Power to Change, publish a new report on ‘Why now is the time for a High Street Buyout Fund’, focusing on the need to help revive our struggling high streets using community-led initiatives.
23rd March 2022 Did the Spring Statement really deliver “security” for struggling families? Daniel Monaghan Policy Officer Today, Rishi Sunak's promise to families struggling with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation was “security”. Yet his Spring Statement did not go far enough to provide the security of a warm home, food on the table and a fair wage to millions across the country.
8th December 2021 Scottish Budget: Act now to save our high streets Daniel Johnson MSP for Edinburgh Southern Ahead of the Scottish Budget on Thursday 9 December, Daniel Johnson MSP sets out the need for a level playing field on our high streets and for all organisations to pay their fair share.
27th September 2021 Co-operation at Labour Party Conference – Stronger Together Fringe Anna Birley The Co-operative Party co-hosted yesterday’s fringe event as part of Anneliese Dodds’ policy review, Stronger Together - showcasing the brilliant examples of co-operation across the UK.
23rd September 2021 Ferries won’t be made in Scotland despite Scottish Government owning the shipyard Neil Bibby MSP for West Scotland This announcement means more jobs and more money going overseas at a time of economic crisis.
22nd September 2021 Time is running out to tell the Government about Access to Cash in your community Meg Hillier Labour & Co-operative MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch and Chair, Public Accounts Committee It’s critical that you have your say and let the Government know just what an impact a move to a cashless society is having on you and your community.
22nd September 2021 We’re committing to proactively working to end modern slavery in Birmingham John Cotton Birmingham City Councillor and Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Community Safety and Equalities Seeking to reduce the risk and harm of modern slavery as a local authority is something that we’ve been committed to for some time. One of the ways in which we do so is by looking closely at our supply chains and procurement practices.
20th September 2021 The Scottish Government can’t sit on its hands whilst Universal Credit is cut Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP for the Glasgow region and Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice & Social Security The UK Government must reinstate the uplift before they plunge more people into poverty, and the Scottish Government must get a move on and use the social security powers that it has.
14th September 2021 The uplift in universal credit is essential for families the country Ben Bellamy Labour and Co-operative Councillor for Belper North Trussell Trust research shows that 1.2m people fear that they will be forced to skip meals if the cut goes ahead and 1.3m people fear being unable to heat their homes this winter.
13th September 2021 The “Ghosted Generation” need to be brought out of the shadows Georgia Horsfall Communications Assistant Young people have been among some of the hardest hit by the effects of the pandemic, both socially and economically - any recovery plan needs to have young people's interests and worries in mind.
9th September 2021 A worker buyout law is vital to saving businesses and jobs in Scotland Paul Sweeney MSP for Glasgow Workers should be assisted to take over their place of work when they face the threat of redundancy.
8th September 2021 We should support worker buyouts with a British Marcora Law Christina Rees A Marcora law is just one of the ways we could build a fairer, more democratic economy. Now is the time to rewrite the rules, and be inspired by the best of the bold ideas in our movement.
11th June 2021 This Fair Tax Mark Week, Birmingham has shown that action can be taken at a local level Cllr Tristan Chatfield Labour Councillor for Weoley & Selly Oak, Birmingham City Council This week, Birmingham has committed to being part of a growing network of local councils that support responsible tax conduct.
10th June 2021 The global deal on tax reform is a step forward – but we can and must be more ambitious Anna Birley What appears to be a campaign win for fair tax campaigners is actually not as straightforward as that. Yes, the agreement is a big deal and major step forward. But it is not big enough, and critical parts have been watered down.
5th March 2021 Beyond the headlines: a budget that doesn’t call time on inequality Anna Birley We know that our co-operative movement, and its values and principles, hold the key to a fairer, more sustainable recovery. But, analysing this week's budget shows that behind the headlines, this budget falls short.
2nd March 2021 Long Read: How could tomorrow’s budget hardwire fairness into our economy? Anna Birley Tomorrow's budget comes at a critical moment for our country - and it must call time on inequality, and rebuild a fairer economy which is based on our co-operative values of sharing power and wealth - giving every community a stake and a say and ensuring no-one is excluded.
17th December 2020 When the need is greater than ever, why is LV= demutualising? Joe Fortune General Secretary Despite the social circumstance which should make them more vital and necessary than ever, the economic system is still skewed against mutuals, co-operatives and non-traditional profit-maximising financial firms.
30th November 2020 Let’s level the playing field for co-operative and mutual banks Stella Creasy Labour and Co-operative MP for Walthamstow & Co-op Party NEC Member for London A historic technicality is holding the co-operative banking sector back – so I'm putting forward an amendment to change it,
18th June 2020 Four out of five Scots agree: no bailouts for tax avoiders Rhoda Grant MSP MSP for Highlands and Islands
8th May 2020 Consumer Scotland needs to deliver for Scottish consumers Jackie Baillie Member of the Scottish Parliament
2nd May 2020 Scottish Government Must Deliver For Scotland’s “Frontline” Councils Sarah Boyack MSP for Lothian
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.
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 of the Co-operative Party and Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 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 Secretary of State for Business and Industrial Strategy 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.
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.
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 for Lothian 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.
Policy paper: an economy where wealth and power are sharedPolicy paper drawing on members' submissions, which forms the basis of policy debate 2 at 2018 Annual Conference