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.
5th August 2020 Covid-19 hasn’t stopped Co-operation in Parliament Rob Bates Political and Parliamentary Officer The Covid-19 outbreak has proven an extraordinary test for Parliament, not simply in the way it operates but the challenges which have required its attention.
10th July 2020 Statement on the Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse Karen Wilkie Company Board Secretary Co-operative Party statement on the report of the inquiry into allegations of child sexual abuse in Westminster.
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,
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 Chair of the Labour Party and Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities 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.
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 June 2019 Today’s debate in Parliament shows our MPs are ambitious for the co-operative movement Anna Birley Co-operatives Fortnight is an opportunity each year to showcase the contribution that co-operatives make to the UK’s economy and local communities. This year, Labour & Co-operative MPs are celebrating by making the case in Parliament in today's debate for the support that the co-operative sector needs to grow.
22nd May 2019 Eating or heating? United Nations report shames government on extreme poverty James Butler Campaigns Officer Glue that has held society together "deliberately removed and replaced with a harsh and uncaring ethos" says Philip Aston, UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights. Help us push the government on zero hunger.
15th February 2019 Votes at 16 in Wales will strengthen our democracy – it’s time for Westminster to follow our lead James Cleverley Co-operative politics is about sharing power and giving a voice to ordinary people on the decisions that impact them. Wales is leading the way, with new legislation introduced to the Welsh Assembly this week to give 16- and 17-year-olds the vote - and it's time for Westminster to do the same.
12th February 2019 A co-operative future for childcare Tracy Brabin Metro Mayor for West Yorkshire Shadow Early Years Minister Tracy Brabin has been exploring co-operative approaches to creating more affordable, inclusive and accountable childcare provision
6th February 2019 We must look at a new way of providing free access to cash so that local communities are not left behind Ged Killen New funding cuts announced recently mean free ATMs are closing at a rate of 250 every month. Fresh new thinking is needed to ensure communities and local businesses aren't left behind.
17th December 2018 Supporting the UK’s fishing co-operatives Archived: Ben West Communications & Digital Officer It is one thing to declare the UK an 'independent coastal state'. But it is UK policymakers who will shape what that means in practice
14th December 2018 Co-operators in the House benwest Just a year after it was established, the Co-operative Party elected its first MP with Alfred Waterson winning the Kettering seat at the December 1918 election. Now his achievement is being recognised with a portrait in Parliament.
6th November 2018 The Government’s Tenant Fees Bill fails to live up to the hype Lord Kennedy of Southwark Vice Chair (Lords) of the Co-operative Party Parliamentary Group Roy Kennedy on yet another government housing bill that fails to live up to the hype
2nd November 2018 When people look at their town, it is a test for what the future holds for their place and their community Jim McMahon Chair of the Co-operative Party and Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Speech by Jim McMahon MP, Chair of the Co-operative Party Parliamentary Group in this week's Budget debate
29th October 2018 Budget 2018: Ending austerity means building a co‑operative economy Jim McMahon Chair of the Co-operative Party and Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Response to today's UK Budget from Co‑operative Party Parliamentary Chair, Jim McMahon MP
8th October 2018 We need to work together to keep shop workers safe Emily Spurrell Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside Police, businesses and many other agencies need to work together to tackle offenders and keep workers safe. And we need a properly funded police service so shop workers get the right response, when they need it.
12th June 2018 To build a more equal world, we need a renewed emphasis on co-operative development Preet Gill MP Chair of the Co-operative Party Parliamentary Group and Shadow Cabinet Minister for International Development We know that co-operatives can help to deliver a fairer global economy, which is why under the next Labour government, DfID will make place a new emphasis on developing and supporting co-operative enterprises around the world.
11th June 2018 ‘Why can’t it be a co-op?’ It’s time to advocate for large-scale mutualisation Luke Pollard Shadow Armed Forces Minister Labour needs to be very cautious that in ending rail privatisation we are not simply holding the assets on ice for the Tories to re-privatise later.
23rd May 2018 Tenant fees are out of control – I’ll work with renters to deliver a better deal Lloyd Russell-Moyle While it’s right that we tackle unfair lettings fees, the Government’s new bill doesn’t go far enough to protect private renters.
12th March 2018 Co-operative MPs call for release of lending blackspot data Archived: Ben West Communications & Digital Officer This evening Co-operative MPs will call in Parliament for the release of data revealing which parts of the country are being targeted by high-cost lenders, and which have been abandoned by big banks as a result of branch closures.
7th March 2018 Campaign success: Sainsbury’s told to stop advertising ‘Fairly Traded’ non-Fairtrade tea Archived: Ben West Communications & Digital Officer Sainsbury's supermarket has been ordered to stop using the misleading 'Fairly Traded' label in adverts for its own-brand tea, in a campaign victory for Co-operative Party MPs, activists and campaigners this Fairtrade Fortnight.
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.
3rd November 2017 Co-operative Party Youth Back Votes at 16 Stephen Barry-Stanners Membership Support Assistant and Regional Organiser for North East, North Cumbria, Yorkshire and the Humber Thomas Renhard Today Parliament will debate a Bill tabled by Labour & Co-operative MP Jim McMahon, which could see an end to the block on votes for 16 and 17 year-olds. Here, two members of the Co-operative Party Youth Committee share their thoughts on the Bill.
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.
31st October 2017 Q&A Anneliese Dodds MP Joe Fortune General Secretary Anneliese Dodds Chair of the Labour Party and Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities As an MEP, Anneliese Dodds championed causes including Tax Justice and Fairtrade. Now, as Labour & Co-operative MP for Oxford East, she’s taking the fight to Westminster. Joe Fortune caught up with her to hear more about her plans.
19th October 2017 Whitehall didn’t understand the co-op movement in 1917 and it doesn’t now either. We’re here to change that. Gareth Thomas Shadow Minister for International Trade Co-operative Party Chair Gareth Thomas' speech at Centenary Conference on Saturday 14th October
11th September 2017 Imagine you lost everything. Would 45 days be enough to get your life back on track? Tom Hayes Oxford City Councillor for St. Clement's Ward and Cabinet Member for Green Transport and Zero Carbon Oxford Co-operators are helping to lead the fight against modern slavery - but we must ensure the Government does much more to support its victims.
8th September 2017 Modern slavery is a scourge of our time. It’s time to change the law to guarantee its victims the chance to rebuild their lives. Lord Kennedy of Southwark Vice Chair (Lords) of the Co-operative Party Parliamentary Group The Modern Slavery (Victim Support) Bill begins its passage through Parliament in the House of Lords today, and I and other Labour and Coop MPs and Peers will be working with Lord McColl of Dulwich, the Bill's sponsor, to ensure that it becomes law in this Parliamentary session.
A co-operative plan for a Britain where power and wealth are sharedThe Co-operative Party's policy platform in advance of the 2017 General Election