Must-read 6 Steps to Build Community WealthUsing what we already have to generate local economic growth co-operatively
28th March 2017 1.7million people don’t have access to banking. How do we ensure financial services aren’t just for the rich? Joe Fortune National Political and Policy Manager A recent report from the House of Lords sets out some of the steps the Government can take to tackle the growing problem of Financial Exclusion
7th March 2017 The Government says it’s serious about giving back control. Here’s how they can prove it. Ben West Communications & Digital Officer A year ago, Theresa May pledged to build a ‘country that works for everyone’. This Wednesday, the government will present its final Budget before we formally begin the process of leaving the EU. It’s more urgent than ever that the government uses this budget to build a fairer, more united Britain.
17th February 2017 John McDonnell pledges funding for a new generation of ‘co-operatively owned’ Ubers and AirBnBs Co-operative Party Platform apps like Uber and Airbnb should be owned co-operatively by their employees and users, the Shadow Chancellor argued today, pledging to unlock new sources of funding for their development.
15th February 2017 The labour and co-operative movements were formed out of the first industrial revolution. Now we must adapt to the next. Tom Watson MP Automation and artificial intelligence are likely to transform the world of work every bit as profoundly as mechanisation shaped the 19th century.
7th February 2017 Tackling tax avoiders must be at the heart of a co-operative vision for a fair economy Richard Murphy For too long tax avoidance has gone unchecked. It's time to put fair tax at the heart of our fight for a fair society.
6th February 2017 In Our Interests: Co-operative Party economy conference James Scott Following last week's economy conference in London, policy officer James Scott provides a summary of the day's activity.
2nd February 2017 There has never been a greater need for a new economy than right now Marc Stears In the midst of all the upheaval that will last for years, a surge of constructive energy is being generated across Britain that can crack open new possibilities for change
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. 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.
24th November 2016 A global race to the bottom is avoidable – together we have the power to re-write the rules Tom Hayes Oxford City Councillor for St. Clement's Ward Inequality is neither inevitable nor irreversible. We co-operators have the power to change course and rewrite the rules.
21st November 2016 May’s u-turn on employee representation a missed opportunity to boost economy James Scott At her speech at the CBI, the Prime Minister appeared to suggest that a push for employees on company boards would threaten growth. Far from it - the business case for employee representation is clear.
18th November 2016 A future economy built on low-paid, insecure work isn’t inevitable – it’s a choice. Ben West Communications & Digital Officer The Pensions Secretary may be 'excited' by an economy based on insecure employment and low wages - but the co-operative movement shows another future is possible.
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.
24th October 2016 Inequality is a choice – and overcoming it means rewriting the rules by which businesses operate Tom Hayes Oxford City Councillor for St. Clement's Ward The Prime Minister's proposals for employees on company boards is welcome - but if we're serious about tackling inequality, reforms to corporate governance must go much further
3rd August 2016 Co-op councillors demand suppliers pay their fair share of tax Emma Hoddinott Local Government Officer Co-operative councillors in Salford and Durham tighten procurement rules to ensure suppliers are transparent in their tax affairs
27th July 2016 An alternative to BHS-style capitalism isn’t just a dream. It’s out there, and it works. Ben West Communications & Digital Officer The Co-op CEO has written to the Times newspaper making the case for the co-operative alternative
5th July 2016 Co-operative MPs tell government to back mutual solution to financial exclusion Co-operative Party 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.
14th April 2016 Co-operative Party first political party to be awarded Fair Tax Mark Claire McCarthy General Secretary The Co-operative Party has received a clean bill of health in its tax affairs, becoming the first political party in the UK to be awarded the Fair Tax mark for tax transparency.
18th March 2016 Only 1 in 10 young people feel business is on their side – The Co-operative Group is working to change that Gavin Shuker Labour & Co-operative MP for Luton South This National Apprenticeships Week, a report by the Co-operative Group is bringing the opinions and voices of young people into the conversation.
16th March 2016 Co-operative Party Budget Response Claire McCarthy General Secretary The Chancellor's budget is a failed opportunity to drive up productivity and to create an economy where the proceeds of hard work are shared
1st February 2016 Employee involvement can drive up wages – and make us more productive too Joe DromeyJoe Dromey is Head of Policy and Research at the Involvement and Participation Association (IPA) After a fortnight in which the Party's proposals on employee ownership have hit the headlines, a report released today shows that involving employees can deliver wider economic benefits.
28th January 2016 #Neweconomy hits the headlines Ben West Communications & Digital Officer A recap of a fortnight in which the Party's vision for a #neweconomy has hit the headlines
26th January 2016 Gareth Thomas outlines Co-operative vision for the economy in speech in Parliament Gareth Thomas Chair of the Co-operative Party, Labour & Co-operative MP for Harrow West Co-operative Party Chair Gareth Thomas outlines Co-operative Party proposals on profit sharing, employee ownership and Board representation in a speech to the House of Commons.
25th January 2016 Public back plan to force companies to share profits with employees Co-operative Party Poll shows 76% of public believe large employers should be required to share profits with staff.
25th January 2016 Public back plan to force companies to share profits with employees Co-operative Party Poll shows 76% of public believe large employers should be required to share profits with staff, following proposals championed by the Co-operative Party
21st January 2016 John McDonnell Speech at Co-op Ways Forward Conference Co-operative Party Full text of the Shadow Chancellor's speech to the Co-operative Ways Forward Conference, which was sponsored by the Co-operative Party.
19th January 2016 Co-operators call for mutual ownership of land Richard McCready Political Officer This week in the Scottish Parliament, Co-operative MSPs Johann Lamont, Claudia Beamish and Sarah Boyack will call on the Scottish Government to promote the mutual ownership of land.
13th October 2015 Co-operative solutions for the Precariat Claire McCarthy General Secretary Co-operatives are enabling the growing numbers of self-employed workers to share costs, demand fairness and increase job security.
13th February 2015 British Public backs Co-operative Party call to build a ‘John Lewis’ Economy Co-operative Party
9th February 2015 Ed Miliband backs Co-op Party call for employee buy-outs Co-operative Party Ed Miliband has promised a new era of employee ownership which will give working people a bigger voice in how businesses are run.
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
6 Steps to Build Community WealthUsing what we already have to generate local economic growth co-operatively