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Policy and research
Co-operatives operate right across the economy and offer solutions to a huge range of economic, social and environmental needs. Our policy work reflects this.
This page sets out our recent policy work on:
Co-operation in Wales
Co-operatives UK has responded to the Welsh Co-operatives and Mutuals Commission’s call for evidence. In our submission we discuss the benefits of co-operatives, scope for growth in Wales, and how they can be supported.
We also make the following key recommendations:
- The development of a co-operative economic strategy for Wales, integrated with wider economic and investment strategies.
- Action for sector development, where these can represent a step change in the contribution of the co-operative and mutual model to a new model of wealth creation, including: rail, community co-operatives, SME co-operative consortia, health and social care.
- Inclusion within commissioning and procurement of specific reference to enterprises compliant with model rules we intend to develop for social co-operatives, in line with international guidelines
- Strengthened capacity and a long-term commitment to the development of the Wales Co-operative Centre as a source of business know-how and support and consideration of whether there is a need for a source of patient, development finance for co-operative business development.
- Promotion of the ‘co-operative option’ with key business advisers and professions in Wales, so that they can take advantage of the commercial opportunities that exist for employee and member ownership at key points in the business development cycle.
- Inclusion of co-operatives firmly within all programmes of activity for the promotion of enterprise and entrepreneurship in Wales.
Budget 2013
Following the 2013 Budget, Co-operatives UK produced a detailed policy briefing relating to planned consultations on Societies (a common legal form for co-operatives); as well as a more general paper highlighting possible implications for co-operatives from a wider range of announcements.
Manifesto development
Co-operatives UK works with all the main political parties and seeks to influence their policy and manifesto development process. As part of the Labour Party’s manifesto development they have published a series of Challenge Papers on a range of policy areas.
In order to ensure that co-operatives are part of this process, we have produced and submitted responses on transport, childcare, health and social care, and proposals for a British Investment Bank.
We also submitted a joint response with the Confederation of Co-operative Housing and the Mutual Housing Group.
Co-operatives UK hopes to provide further detailed evidence as this process progresses. We also intend to take similar opportunities to input into the development of other Party manifestos.
Business advice needs of co-operative enterprise
We recently issued an invitation to tender for a research project 'What are the business advice needs of co-operative enterprise?'
Closing date for submission of tenders is 31 July 2012.
You can download a copy of the ItT below.
Working with the coalition government
With co-operatives - and co-operation - high on the political agenda, our work to ensure quality in new developments is more important than ever.
Our Co-operative Call to Action publication, written with input from our members, sets out our vision for the co-operative sector and what government can do to support it. It focuses on five key areas where government can help Britain benefit from more co-operation: economic renewal, social innovation, a fairer society, climate change and digital futures. You can download the Co-operative Call to Action here.
We produced a briefing on the Coalition Agreement, highlighting commitments that either directly or indirectly relate to the co‑operative and mutual sector. You can download the briefing at the bottom of this page.
