Influencing policy
Our policy work is crucial to ensuring co-ops, of all shapes and sizes, enjoy the best possible business environment. We do this by working for and alongside our members to influence government policy - at both a local and national level. The includes securing funding for co-op development, campaigning against punitive and unfair legislation, promoting the benefits of co-ops to policy-makers and much more.
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Co-op Policy Blog #23: Breakthrough in Scotland
Scottish government is now committed to supporting co-ops in its policy programme. This provides a massive opportunity to unlock the huge potential for co-ops in Scotland and follows a successful effort by Co-operatives UK to build cross-party…
Covid-19 fighting for co‑ops
The Covid‑19 pandemic has placed extraordinary pressure on co‑op enterprise. That pressure has varied from industry to industry, from business to business. We’ve been working incredibly hard to ensure co‑ops are included in all immediate government…
We are the rebuilders
Co-ops are pivotal to helping our communities and country build back better from Covid-19. In this short paper we make four co-op ‘offers’ to everyone working for a more sustainable and just future.
Work in partnership
Through partnership working with local government, business networks and community organisations we help transform local economies and communities. It's all about local wealth building, co-op development and community engagement.
#1MillionOwners
Content by #1MillionOwners
Join our campaign and pledge your support to create one million employee and worker owners in the UK by 2030.
Content by #1MillionOwners
Recent news
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Co-operatives UK welcomes government's £150 million Community Ownership Fund
Content by Community Shares
Open to community organisations across the UK, the Community Ownership Fund provides up to 50 per cent match-funded capital grants to help take ownership of 'at risk' assets.
2 months ago
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We must get the £150m Community Ownership Fund right - warns co-op trade body CEO
The trade body representing thousands of co-operative businesses welcomes the proposed £150m Community Ownership Fund, announced in yesterday’s Budget and the extension of Social Investment Tax…
6 months ago
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What does the Budget mean for co-ops?
As the Chancellor has announced a record breaking Budget today (3 March 2021), we outline what this means for co-ops.
6 months ago
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Social value procurement creates fresh opportunities for co-ops
From 1 January 2021 central government will be required to take the social value of suppliers into account when awarding contracts.
7 months ago
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Calls to remove obstacles to government backed loans for co-ops and social enterprise
Co-operatives UK, along with 10 other social enterprise support organisations have written to Minister John Glen (Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister) to request a meeting to discuss…
8 months ago
Blog posts
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Co-op Policy Blog #23: Breakthrough in Scotland
Scottish government is now committed to supporting co-ops in its policy programme. This provides a massive opportunity to unlock the huge potential for co-ops in Scotland and follows a successful…
22 days ago
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Co-op Policy Blog #22: Hitting the ground running
Across the UK politicians from a range of parties have just been elected with commitments to support co-ops and a more democratic economy. We are already reaching out to offer our help, so politicians…
4 months ago
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Policy Blog #21: Economic democracy for all?
Community ownership has been one of the biggest democratising forces in our economy, from farming to football. The UK government’s new Community Ownership Fund could help spread the benefits further,…
5 months ago
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Policy Blog #20: A New Hope
At the rate we’re going, co-ops will be a powerful democratising force in the economy around the year 2120. But we can't wait 100 years. To spread the benefits of economic democracy quickly and at…
9 months ago
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We support MP's amendment for mutual banks
Stella Creasy MP has tabled an amendment to the Financial Services Bill, aimed at making it easier to establish a mutual bank in the UK. Government should accept this amendment, because local mutual…
9 months ago
Resources
Union-Coops:UK Manifesto Worker Co-op Council Response
Co-operatives UK and its Worker Co-operative Council warmly welcome the launch of the Union-Coops:UK initiative.
1 month ago
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Ready for what's next
This short paper offers national and local policymakers optimistic and practical options for addressing the economic and environmental challenges that lie ahead. It draws on promising new data from…
2 months ago
Charities Bill Letter to Baroness Barran
We have written to Baroness Barran MBE asking for three small amendments to the Charities Bill that could make a massive difference for community ownership.
3 months ago
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Supporting co-operative growth locally
This short paper is an offer to work in partnership with local leaders who have clear policy objectives to support co-op growth in their area.
4 months ago
Community Ownership Fund: Maximising impact through Community Shares
Content by Community Shares
This paper focuses on why and how the Community Ownership Fund can utilise the Community Shares financing model.
5 months ago
You may also be interested in
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Co-operatives UK welcomes government's £150 million Community Ownership Fund
Content by Community Shares
Open to community organisations across the UK, the Community Ownership Fund provides up to 50 per cent match-funded capital grants to help take ownership of 'at risk' assets.
2 months ago
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Apply to the £150m Community Ownership Fund
Government has launched the first round of bids for its £150m Community Ownership Fund. Open to community organisations across the whole of the UK, the scheme provides up to 50 per cent match funded…
2 months ago
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Co-operative Party Annual Conference an AGM
Join the Co-operative Party for its virtual annual conference and annual general meeting (AGM).
Saturday 09 October 2021
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Policy forums
Organised by Co-operatives UK
Join James Wright from Co‑operatives UK for this policy forum on Wednesday 01 December from 11 - 11.45am.
Wednesday 01 December 2021
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Policy forums
Organised by Co-operatives UK
This event has been cancelled.
Wednesday 22 September 2021