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.
Featured content
Search policy activity
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
Image
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.
27 days ago
Image
New Bill for co-operatives in Parliament
Co-operatives UK is supporting a new Bill boosting co-operative investment, innovation and development.
1 month ago
Image
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.
5 months ago
Image
Co-operatives UK welcomes the Adebowale Commission on Social Investment report
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
7 months ago
Image
Parliamentary debate on the role of co-operatives in economy to take place
Co-operatives UK, working with MPs on a cross-party basis, has helped secure a Parliamentary debate on the contribution of co-operatives to the economy on 14 December 2021.
9 months ago
Blog posts
Image
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.
7 months ago
Image
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…
7 months ago
Image
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.
11 months ago
Image
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
Image
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
Image
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
7 months ago
Extending opportunity, wealth and freedom through co-operatives
This briefing was provided to Members of Parliament in advance of the Westminster Hall Debate on the ‘Contribution of co-operatives and mutuals to the economy and public life’ (14 December 2021).
9 months ago
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 year ago
Image
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…
1 year ago
You may also be interested in
Image
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.
27 days ago
Image
New Bill for co-operatives in Parliament
Co-operatives UK is supporting a new Bill boosting co-operative investment, innovation and development.
1 month ago
Image
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.
5 months ago
Image
Co-operatives UK welcomes the Adebowale Commission on Social Investment report
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
7 months ago
Image
Parliamentary debate on the role of co-operatives in economy to take place
Co-operatives UK, working with MPs on a cross-party basis, has helped secure a Parliamentary debate on the contribution of co-operatives to the economy on 14 December 2021.
9 months ago