Government's call for evidence: Our reponse

The Department for Business and Trade has launched a call for evidence on how government can better support co-operatives and mutuals to start up, grow and mutualise. In response, we've worked over the last few months to consult our members to prepare detailed response setting out the economic, social and environmental case for expanding the co-operative economy, alongside practical recommendations for reform.

Our response draws on robust data and sector insight. It highlights how co-operatives deliver inclusive growth, higher productivity, stronger business survival rates and greater community resilience. It identifies structural barriers that hold co-operatives back, including access to finance, gaps in business support, legal and regulatory constraints, procurement practices and tax policy. It also proposes clear solutions, from modernising society law and improving access to capital, to investing in co-operative development and creating better pathways for mutualisation.

The document lists more than 100 co-operatives, mutuals and organisations working in the sector who were consulted and backed our submission. 

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