Call for evidence on business support for co-operatives
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has consulted with co‑operatives, advisors and experts on how to best support the growth of our sector, which closed in February 2026. Co‑operatives UK led on the sector-wide response.
Our time is now
The government offered a once in a generation opportunity to influence its support for our sector. The landmark call for evidence on business support for co‑operatives closed on Wednesday 18 February 2026.
What it means?
This process is key to influencing the government’s ambitions to double the size of the co‑operative sector in the UK. It covers vital areas where policy change and public funding are critical to unlock this growth. This includes business support, access to finance, and start‑up, growth and mutualisation.
Officials asked for evidence on what the impacts of co‑operative growth could be. The evidence has come in many forms. As well as data and research, the direct experiences of co‑operatives is invaluable primary evidence.
This is a rare opportunity to develop national policy on important enablers for our sectors, from business support to access to finance. As well as feeding into our response on behalf of the sector, we encouraged all co‑operatives to respond directly to the DBT consultation.
Our response to government
We have now published our sector-wide response to the call for evidence. It includes a list of more than 100 co-operatives, mutuals and organisations who have taken part in the consultation over the last few months and who backed our submission.
What's next for the consultation?
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Government's call for evidence: Our reponse
