In a briefing from Co-operatives UK, policy officer James Wright welcomed the “legislative reform” that makes the “UK a better place to start up and grow a co-operative business”. But, he said: “There’s still more to be done and we have an ambitious agenda for how the next government can harness the co-operative momentum.”
He added: “Policymakers have a clear responsibility to ensure no business form is disadvantaged in government. All parties should commit to building on the work the coalition has begun in supporting a diversity of business forms, including co-operatives, so as to secure a more economically environmentally and socially sustainable recovery.”
Mr Wright outlined a number of crucial steps to maintain a level playing field for co-operatives:
Introduce a new business impact test to systematically ensure all legal forms are considered in legislation and regulation affecting business. This will reduce the number of unintended consequences in regulation that are so burdensome for co-operative businesses.
Ensure official data on co-operatives and companies is equally accessible to the public.
Give the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) adequate responsibility and resource to serve all business forms including co-operatives and community benefit societies.
Include the Co-operative Option in employment support, business advice and educational curricula.
Looking forward to next year’s general election, and as manifestos are being developed by political parties, Mr Wright said focus should be on building a world-class social economy. Possible actions include:
Unlocking the economic and social capital contained in mutuality and co-production so public services enable people to help each other as well as themselves
Supporting engaged, long-term investment in co-operatives
Opening up existing business investment tax reliefs to co-operative models
Appointing a cabinet-level minister in BIS to champion the social economy
Giving communities greater opportunities to own and control local services and infrastructure.