Solar runs on light, not just sunshine. If it works in Edinburgh's winters, it works anywhere in the UK.
The Local Power Plan invests Β£1 billion so communities can generate their own clean energy and keep the returns locally, not send profits to distant shareholders.
That's not luck.
Spain has spent years building community energy co-operatives: locally owned, locally supplied, government-backed. Hundreds of communities generating their own power, insulated from gas market volatility. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Every country in Europe watched electricity prices spike last week. Belgium hit 400 β¬/MWh. Germany β¬450. Netherlands nearly β¬500.
Spain barely moved above β¬100.
Happy International Women's Day!
Gender equality will always be a cornerstone of the co-operative movement.
Let credit unions serve their communities.
Sign our petition.
party.coop/campaign/com...
"As a model, employee ownership is proven to be more resilient to market shocks, more productive in its workforce and have high reinvestment rooted in the communities they operate in."
βοΈ Meg Griggs
Credit unions need the ability to operate at scale.
That means increasing the cap on common bonds.
Now is the time to make the case for change.
The first community credit union in Britain was set up by Windrush immigrants.
They remain essential for communities underserved by traditional banks.
The common bond is central to what makes credit unions special.
Current legislation caps that bond at justΒ three million potential members.
That means you cannot have a credit union that fully covers large communities.
Laws governing credit unions and common bonds havenβt kept up.
Credit unions provide an essential alternative to traditional banks.
Theyβre built around a "common bond".
This is a shared connection between members, such as where they live or work.
An outdated law is holding one of our most important community institutions back. π§΅
From the Scottish Enterprise Technology Park to the global market, Clansman Dynamics shows whatβs possible when employees own the business.
Years into their employee-ownership journey, they are still growing, still innovating, and still leading the way.
"This government recognises the enormous value of our co-operative sector." π
@laboursatvir.bsky.social confirms the Office for Impact Economy is working with Treasury and Department for Business to grow the co-operative sector and maximise its economic impact - driving national renewal.
Co-operatives aren't just good for creating jobs, they give people a stake in their future.
Great to hear Minister chriselmoremp.bsky.social confirm to our chair @jimmcmahon.co.uk that co-ops remain a "crucial part" of the UKβs development strategy moving forward. π
Happy Holi to all those celebrating in the UK and across the world!
Looking at the challenges this country faces differently is what we do.
If you agree, join the Co-operative Party today.
party.coop/join/
It's time to mandate commonhold for all new flats, and give leaseholders the right to convert.
This is community ownership.
People who live somewhere should own it, control it, and benefit from it.
Commonhold has been law since 2002 - but it's underused.
Developers sell freeholds to investors. Leasehold benefits landlords.
Commonhold empowers residents.
This completely changes under commonhold. You own your flat freehold. Forever. No lease expiry.
All owners form an association that manages the building, collectively.
You "buy" a flat but the landlord keeps the land. Your lease runs down. Your property loses value. Theirs gains, while earning ground rent for nothing.
You don't own what you bought.
Commonhold is how we escape the feudal leasehold system for good, and end the scandal in housing. π§΅
Today, Angela Rayner put the fight for commonhold as "vested interests vs people being shafted."
She's right.
It's time to mandate commonhold, end leasehold creation for new builds, and give existing leaseholders conversion rights.
Law Boxing Club is more than just a place to train: itβs the heart of Law Village. π₯
Combining a gym, boxing club, and even a hairdresser, theyβre keeping community spaces open and accessible for everyone.
Weβre campaigning to protect and grow places like this across the UK.
Dydd GΕ΅yl Dewi Hapus! πΌ
Happy St David's Day from the Co-operative Party. π
π¨ UPDATE: We now have over 800 Labour and Co-operative candidates at this year's Local Elections.
There's still time if you're considering applying. Become a Co-operative Candidate today.
Because of a quirk in the law, indoor sports venues do not automatically receive the same protections as outdoor sports venues.
Back our amendment to the law now to make sure all sports venues β indoor and outdoor β are given the protection they deserve.
party.coop/campaign/com...
Unlocking Β£1bn in local lending is a crucial step for British regional economies. π
To make this count, it must reach alternative business models including co-operatives and mutuals. That means backing CDFIs to lend directly to co-ops and community enterprises.
