Co-operatives proud to contribute this Fair Tax Week and Co‑op Fortnight

In this guest blog from The Fair Tax Foundation, Co-operatives UK members share why being Fair Tax Mark certified closely aligns with co-operative values and principles. 
 

Paying tax fairly is a key value of many member‑owned businesses and UK co‑operatives were early pioneers of the Fair Tax Mark following its launch in 2014. 

The Fair Tax Mark is a certification for businesses of all sizes demonstrating they pay the right amount of tax in the right place at the right time.

This Co‑op Fortnight and Fair Tax Week, Co‑operatives UK and Fair Tax Foundation are coming together to celebrate the positive impact fair taxpaying co‑operatives can have on their communities and society.

The UK’s 7,000‑strong independent co‑ops contribute more than £40bn to the economy, according to Co‑operatives UK, with 15 million memberships.

Our Co-op (formerly The Midcounties Co‑operative), East of England Co‑op and Co‑operatives UK were among the first businesses in the UK to be awarded the Fair Tax Mark, viewing it as an area in which the sector could lead – as with Fairtrade. 

As of June 2026 there were some 50 distinct trading brands across the UK co‑operative and mutual sector that hold the Fair Tax Mark.

For the Fair Tax Foundation’s Sector Special series, Fair Tax Mark co‑operatives shared the reasons why paying tax fairly is so important to them. As well as aligning with their values, the Fair Tax Mark can help engage members – and provide trust, credibility and transparency. 

Unicorn Grocery, a worker co‑op in South Manchester, is one of many values‑led Co‑operatives UK members that are proud to ‘put their money where their mouth is’ by being Fair Tax Mark Certified. 

“Our customers know we’re a worker co‑op and that social and economic justice is at the heart of what we do – there’s a lot of trust there,” said the store’s Debbie Clarke. “But we also think it’s important to back up that trust with tangible, verifiable actions.”

Tom Skinner, COO of the Fair Tax Foundation, said: “Co‑operatives have been at the forefront of the Fair Tax Mark’s growth, which is no surprise. A commitment to co‑operative values and ethical business practices puts co‑ops in good stead to achieve certification. 

“The Fair Tax Mark is the gold standard of responsible tax conduct and gives co‑ops a practical way to show their commitment to fairness and transparency. And to join a community of like‑minded businesses calling for change through their actions.”

Fair Tax Week is an annual awareness‑raising week celebrating the 275 businesses and 63 UK councils committed to responsible and transparent tax practices. This year it began on Sunday 21 June and will run to Sunday 28 June (Tax Justice Sunday).

Co‑op Fortnight 2026 began on Monday 22 June and will run to Sunday 5 July. It offers co‑operatives across the UK a platform to showcase how they are having a positive impact – on their members, colleagues, customers, communities, society and the world. 

The Fair Tax Foundation is offering 10% off Fair Tax Mark certification to Co‑operatives UK members. (Discover other benefits of Co‑operatives UK membership here.) Take advantage of the offer and you’ll be in good company – check out some of the Fair Tax Mark-certified co-operative and mutuals below: