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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Search our policy activity by issue, sector or region
Do more, faster, together: Joint declaration by the UK’s co-operatives in the run up to COP26
Joint declaration on climate action by the UK’s co-operatives in the run up to COP26.
Co-op Policy Blog #24: Budget implications for co-ops across the UK
The Chancellor’s Budget and Spending Review is not earth-shattering... or really Earth saving either.
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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Government announces £500,000 grant for training and support to social housing tenants
The Confederation of Co-operative Housing, and its partner organisation, Public Participation, Consultation and Research, have received a £500,000 grant to roll out a new training package open to…
20 days ago
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Call for £40m investment into community shares
Content by Community Shares
The Community Shares Unit, led by Co-operatives UK in partnership with Locality and Plunkett Foundation, has responded to the Dormant Assets consultation with a headline call for £40m to be invested…
3 months ago
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Co-operatives call on new Prime Minister to act now or face ‘doom-loop’
Government must take immediate and effective action to prevent permanent damage to UK businesses, including co-operatives.
5 months ago
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New Bill for co-operatives in Parliament
Co-operatives UK is supporting a new Bill boosting co-operative investment, innovation and development.
5 months ago
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Channel 4 privatisation is the opposite of levelling up, says Co-operatives UK.
Last night (4 April 2022) it was reported in the media that the government has decided to go ahead with plans to privatise Channel 4.
10 months ago
Blog posts
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Co-op Policy Blog #26: Co-ops to the rescue?
A growing number of businesses in the UK are going bust. Two years of lost income, uncertainty, stress, ballooning debt and now rising costs, may be taking their toll.
11 months ago
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Co-op Policy Blog #25: Levelling up the land
When Michael Gove stood at the dispatch box and said government’s flagship Levelling Up White Paper was a strategy “to shift wealth and power decisively towards working people” I had to stop and…
1 year ago
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Co-op Policy Blog #24: Budget implications for co-ops across the UK
The Chancellor’s Budget and Spending Review is not earth-shattering... or really Earth saving either.
1 year ago
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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…
1 year 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…
1 year ago
Resources
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Dormant Assets consultation
Content by Community Shares
A response from the Community Shares Unit, led by Co-operatives UK in partnership with Locality and Plunkett Foundation, on the Consultation on the English portion of dormant assets funding.
4 days ago
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Co-operatives for a stronger, fairer, greener, everyday economy
A short paper, produced for the Labour Party Conference (2022) which presents new evidence and insights on the huge potential for co-operatives to contribute to a stronger, fairer and greener everyday…
4 months ago
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Open letter to the Adebowale Commission on Social Investment
Co-operatives UK has written to Lord Victor Adebowale, Chair of the Adebowale Commission on Social Investment, congratulating him and fellow commissioners on the publication of their final report
1 year ago
You may also be interested in
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Government announces £500,000 grant for training and support to social housing tenants
The Confederation of Co-operative Housing, and its partner organisation, Public Participation, Consultation and Research, have received a £500,000 grant to roll out a new training package open to…
20 days ago
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Scottish Policy Summit
Organised by Co-operatives UK
The Scottish Policy Summit will take place from 1-4.30pm on Wednesday 19 April at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh.
Wednesday 19 April 2023
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Members meeting: Co-op Law Reform
Organised by Co-operatives UK
Join Co-operatives UK's Policy Lead James Wright for this online members meeting for those who want to find out more about the next steps for taking forward crucial legislation giving co-operative…
Thursday 17 November 2022
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Cross Party Group on Co-operatives in Scottish Parliament
Organised by Co-operatives UK
The next meeting of the Cross Party Group on Co-operatives is taking place at 1-2pm on Wednesday 2 November in the Scottish Parliament.
Wednesday 02 November 2022
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Call for £40m investment into community shares
Content by Community Shares
The Community Shares Unit, led by Co-operatives UK in partnership with Locality and Plunkett Foundation, has responded to the Dormant Assets consultation with a headline call for £40m to be invested…
3 months ago