Gareth Thomas in online chat
Monday, June 29, 2009
International Development Minister and Co-operative Party chair Gareth Thomas MP is the guest of the Guardian in this week's online chat. He'll be online tomorrow 2pm-3pm and answering readers' questions. Put yours to him here.
Labels: Gareth Thomas, international, The Guardian
Caring Support
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Last week, Co-operatives UK held a seminar on mutual response to the government's agenda of personalisation of care services. Communities and service users are setting up their own care providers in response to the direct payments and personalisation agendas. This allows them to manage their own care needs and determine appropriate responses by controlling their own budgets. By coming together as co-operatives, clients can share carers and services more effectively, and also the burden of managing carers and finances.
One of the key examples is Caring Support, a co-operative set up in Croydon, South London which the local Co-operative Party has done a little to support. Caring Support was profiled in the Guardian the other week. Their idea is for small groups of up to 15 service users to be matched with personal care assistants, engendering a spirit of community. The service is aimed both at self-funders, who don't qualify for state support for care, and those who receive direct payments to fund care arrangements.
The big challenge is for government to ensure it is maintaining standards and showing proper care for this vulnerable group, while still relaxing the regulations enough to allow new entrants to the care market and recognise that these organisations have different needs and abilities.
One of the key examples is Caring Support, a co-operative set up in Croydon, South London which the local Co-operative Party has done a little to support. Caring Support was profiled in the Guardian the other week. Their idea is for small groups of up to 15 service users to be matched with personal care assistants, engendering a spirit of community. The service is aimed both at self-funders, who don't qualify for state support for care, and those who receive direct payments to fund care arrangements.
The big challenge is for government to ensure it is maintaining standards and showing proper care for this vulnerable group, while still relaxing the regulations enough to allow new entrants to the care market and recognise that these organisations have different needs and abilities.
Labels: Co-operatives UK, Croydon, health, social care
How can Real Madrid afford Ronaldo?
"How can Real Madrid afford Ronaldo?" asks the BBC. Because they are owned by fans, not fat cats, they contend.
Being owned by 100,000 supporters in a co-operative-style structure means Real Madrid can get the big names for two reasons. Firstly they have more cash to splash. Instead of having debt-ridden sheikhs and tycoons, Real's members do not expect money from TV rights to be diverted to servicing debts or paying shareholder dividends. And secondly, perhaps less positively, elections of directors lead to a certain populism. Promises are made and need to be kept.
Supporter-owned teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are at the top of the European game. Premiership, take note.
Being owned by 100,000 supporters in a co-operative-style structure means Real Madrid can get the big names for two reasons. Firstly they have more cash to splash. Instead of having debt-ridden sheikhs and tycoons, Real's members do not expect money from TV rights to be diverted to servicing debts or paying shareholder dividends. And secondly, perhaps less positively, elections of directors lead to a certain populism. Promises are made and need to be kept.
Supporter-owned teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are at the top of the European game. Premiership, take note.
Going to Compass Conference? The feeling's mutual.
Today is Compass Conference at the Institute of Education, with over 1,000 people coming together to look at new ideas and new challenges. The Co-operative Party is holding a breakout session at 1.30 on financial services: "Want banks to put you before profit? The feeling's mutual!"
Our speakers are Stella Creasy, Labour & Co-operative PPC, Walthamstow (chair); Robbie Erbmann, Policy Officer, The Co-operative Party; Andy Love MP, Member of the Treasury Select Committee; and Rachel Reeves, Former economist at the Bank of England and Labour PPC for Leeds West.
If you're coming to the conference, join us.
Our speakers are Stella Creasy, Labour & Co-operative PPC, Walthamstow (chair); Robbie Erbmann, Policy Officer, The Co-operative Party; Andy Love MP, Member of the Treasury Select Committee; and Rachel Reeves, Former economist at the Bank of England and Labour PPC for Leeds West.
If you're coming to the conference, join us.
Labels: building societies, Compass, events, financial mutuals
More reshuffle news
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Following yesterday's excellent news of the announcement of Angela E Smith, the Labour & Co-operative MP for Basildon, as Third Sector Minister, Gordon has been completing the reshuffle.
Other Co-operative MPs feature: Ed Balls remains as Secretary of State for Children, Schools & Families. Our chair Gareth Thomas MP returns as International Development Minister and Phil Hope MP is at the Department of Health. Amongst junior ministerial appointments, Sarah McCarthy-Fry takes responsibility for local government and Meg Hillier remains at the Home Office.
We're looking forward to more good news regarding the appointment of Whips and spokespeople in the House of Lords.
Other Co-operative MPs feature: Ed Balls remains as Secretary of State for Children, Schools & Families. Our chair Gareth Thomas MP returns as International Development Minister and Phil Hope MP is at the Department of Health. Amongst junior ministerial appointments, Sarah McCarthy-Fry takes responsibility for local government and Meg Hillier remains at the Home Office.
We're looking forward to more good news regarding the appointment of Whips and spokespeople in the House of Lords.
Labels: Co-operative Party, parliament
Cheltenham & Gloucester disappears - another sad day
The closure of all 164 branches of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Bank is further proof that the de-mutualisation of former building societies has been a disaster.
Today Michael Stephenson, our General Secretary said: "The disappearance of the once iconic C&G name from the high street and the possible loss of 1,500 jobs is a sad reflection on what has happened to our building societies since the last Conservative government encouraged them to demutualise through the 1986 Building Societies Act.
"Despite some difficulties, mutuals are emerging from the credit crunch in much better shape than the traditional banking sector.
"That is no accident. It is because the mutual model is much better suited to the task of meeting the robust challenges of an uncertain economic future, and because it is based on a set of values and principles that put sustainability and fairness above short-term profit."
The closure of the Cheltenham and Gloucester branches comes shortly after Santander announced the disappearance of the Abbey, Alliance and Leicester and Bradford and Bingley brands. No demutualised building societies have managed to maintain their existence as stand alone organisations. With this recent announcement, we may well see the disappearance of many of these from the high street altogether.
Today Michael Stephenson, our General Secretary said: "The disappearance of the once iconic C&G name from the high street and the possible loss of 1,500 jobs is a sad reflection on what has happened to our building societies since the last Conservative government encouraged them to demutualise through the 1986 Building Societies Act.
"Despite some difficulties, mutuals are emerging from the credit crunch in much better shape than the traditional banking sector.
"That is no accident. It is because the mutual model is much better suited to the task of meeting the robust challenges of an uncertain economic future, and because it is based on a set of values and principles that put sustainability and fairness above short-term profit."
The closure of the Cheltenham and Gloucester branches comes shortly after Santander announced the disappearance of the Abbey, Alliance and Leicester and Bradford and Bingley brands. No demutualised building societies have managed to maintain their existence as stand alone organisations. With this recent announcement, we may well see the disappearance of many of these from the high street altogether.
Labels: banking, building societies
Afflicted by the tube strike? Try liftshare
A 48-hour tube strike starts tonight in London. Here at the office we've been trying to plan our journeys in tomorrow, ready for impending chaos.One solution is car sharing. londonliftshare.com is part of the UK's largest car-sharing network, with about 20,000 other members in the London area who want to share a journey. It doesn't matter if you don't have your own car to share, as lots of members are willing to give others a lift in exchange for a contribution to the fuel costs.
liftshare is a social enterprise that helps individuals to travel more sustainably by sharing their journey. Their online network matches people with similar journeys so they can travel better together - saving money, cutting their carbon footprint, having fun and making the world a better place.
Today is national liftshare day. Paul Clark, the transport minister, says, "Car sharing reduces congestion and pollution, but it can also save motorists large amounts of money every year. The Government supports car sharing as one of a number of sustainable travel measures. National liftshare Day provides an opportunity for people to find out more about car sharing and possibly to give car sharing a try."
Labels: transport
Angela Smith is new Third Sector minister
Monday, June 08, 2009
In the reshuffle Angela E Smith, the Labour & Co-operative MP for Basildon, has been made Minister of State for the Third Sector and a Privy Councillor. Angela, who has up until now been the PPS to the Prime Minister, will now be responsible for social enterprise, the voluntary sector and, crucially, co-operatives and mutuals.
Putting a Co-operative MP as Minister for Co-operatives shows the importance of the sector to the PM. Stuart Etherington, chief executive of volunteering sector umbrella body the NCVO, welcomed Smith's appointment and her promotion to minister of state. He said, "This reflects the importance of our sector. This is a crucial time for voluntary and community organisations and Angela will need to work closely with us all to support civil society through these turbulent times."
Stephen Brown, director of public affairs at Volunteering England, said Smith's connections with the Prime Minister were also good news for the sector: "Prime Ministers only choose people to be their private secretaries who they trust implicitly and take advice from."
Putting a Co-operative MP as Minister for Co-operatives shows the importance of the sector to the PM. Stuart Etherington, chief executive of volunteering sector umbrella body the NCVO, welcomed Smith's appointment and her promotion to minister of state. He said, "This reflects the importance of our sector. This is a crucial time for voluntary and community organisations and Angela will need to work closely with us all to support civil society through these turbulent times."
Stephen Brown, director of public affairs at Volunteering England, said Smith's connections with the Prime Minister were also good news for the sector: "Prime Ministers only choose people to be their private secretaries who they trust implicitly and take advice from."
Labels: Angela Smith, parliament, social enterprise, volunteering
Congo cooperative to supply Sainsbury's with Fairtrade coffee
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The Fairtrade Foundation and its partners have been making great efforts to support producers in conflict areas. So it's great news this week that 1,300 farmers in the Sopacdi co-operative from the troubled Lake Kuvu region in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo will be supplying Sainsbury's with Fairtrade coffee. The area is near the Rwandan border and has suffered during the Rwandan genocide and in Congo's own civil war. Sopacdi produces a small amount of high quality coffee, which producers had to smuggle through Rwanda if they previously wanted to reach a wider market. It will be arriving in 2011. Sainsbury's is also buying coffee from Malawi in a new deal.
It has been somewhat amusing to see those TV ads of both Sainsbury's and M&S in a tussle marketing their history and values. Who first gave us the avocado and the ready meal? Who first mass-marketed Twiggy's mini-skirt? Who innovated in Victorian Britain to bring us safe and affordable food? Who is most committed to Fairtrade? Well Sainsbury's and Marks can keep the avocado and the mini-skirt, and their initiatives on mainstreaming Fairtrade are great. But if you want real history, values and long commitment to consumers and to Fairtrade, pop down to the Co-op.
It has been somewhat amusing to see those TV ads of both Sainsbury's and M&S in a tussle marketing their history and values. Who first gave us the avocado and the ready meal? Who first mass-marketed Twiggy's mini-skirt? Who innovated in Victorian Britain to bring us safe and affordable food? Who is most committed to Fairtrade? Well Sainsbury's and Marks can keep the avocado and the mini-skirt, and their initiatives on mainstreaming Fairtrade are great. But if you want real history, values and long commitment to consumers and to Fairtrade, pop down to the Co-op.
Labels: Africa, coffee, fairtrade, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury's, supermarkets
New landmark HQ for the Co-op
The Co-operative Group had unveiled stunning designs for its landmark new headquarters in Manchester, with a sustainable swirl of glass that has a feature atrium at its centre which will improve facilities for staff. An integrated energy system aims to provide 100% of the development’s heat and power needs from renewable sources and 4.5 acres of public open space and great new cycling and public transport facilities will be provided.
See the video of the plans here.
See the video of the plans here.
Labels: architecture, Co-operative Group, Manchester
A co-operative vision for Europe
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
After the June 4 elections, the new European Parliament will be making decisions which affect our economy and affect our co-operatives. Cooperatives Europe, the body which represents the sector across the continent, has called for MEPs to initiate dialogue and partnership to mainstream co-ops within EU policies, to put citizens at the heart of Europe and to build a value-based economy.
Cooperative Europe's pamphlet, Co-operatives in the European Economy, calls for European Company Law to reflect co-operative forms of business and for the Commission to understand co-ops when applying competition rules. Co-operatives should be invited to become a European social partner and to work with Europe in tackling climate change, exclusion and discrimination.
Putting co-operatives at the heart of Europe and building a responsible economy will only be possible with a Socialist Parliament - vote Labour on 4th June.
Elsewhere in Europe, the European Network of Credit Unions has launched its website.
Promoted by Michael Stephenson, General Secretary, the Co-operative Party, on behalf of the Co-operative Party and reproduced from electronic media supplied by The Co-operative Party, all at 77 Weston Street, London SE1 3SD.
Cooperative Europe's pamphlet, Co-operatives in the European Economy, calls for European Company Law to reflect co-operative forms of business and for the Commission to understand co-ops when applying competition rules. Co-operatives should be invited to become a European social partner and to work with Europe in tackling climate change, exclusion and discrimination.
Putting co-operatives at the heart of Europe and building a responsible economy will only be possible with a Socialist Parliament - vote Labour on 4th June.
Elsewhere in Europe, the European Network of Credit Unions has launched its website.
Promoted by Michael Stephenson, General Secretary, the Co-operative Party, on behalf of the Co-operative Party and reproduced from electronic media supplied by The Co-operative Party, all at 77 Weston Street, London SE1 3SD.
Government support for social enterprise stronger than ever
The last few weeks have seen major announcements from Government on support for social enterprises and the voluntary sector, somewhat swamped by the other political news.
In the Budget and in a set of announcements by Liam Byrne and Hazel Blears, the Government has shown that it is backing the third sector as a way of getting us out of the economic slump, and in giving communities more control over their services. The plans also aim to take forward the Prime Minister's G20 commitment to make business more responsible.
At least £100m from the £1bn Future Jobs Fund will help social enterprises create 15,000 new jobs, and social enterprises and small businesses will have access to £20m additional lending from the banks as a result of BERR changes to the Enterprise Finance Guarantee. The Government will help social enterprises make the most of all the investment available through a year-long Social Enterprise Access to Investment Programme.
A new Ministerial Working Group chaired by Liam Byrne will work to encourage social enterprises and charities to compete for specific public service delivery contracts, furthering the Government's commitment to create 25,000 new jobs in social enterprises and charities, and a plan is being drawn up to set out how £45.6 million of public money this year will help social enterprises deliver public services, through a new fast-track investment process.
While there's much chattering from so-called Progressive Conservatives and commentators about devolving services, public sector reform and involving communities, the Government is getting on with it and making the funds available.
In the Budget and in a set of announcements by Liam Byrne and Hazel Blears, the Government has shown that it is backing the third sector as a way of getting us out of the economic slump, and in giving communities more control over their services. The plans also aim to take forward the Prime Minister's G20 commitment to make business more responsible.
At least £100m from the £1bn Future Jobs Fund will help social enterprises create 15,000 new jobs, and social enterprises and small businesses will have access to £20m additional lending from the banks as a result of BERR changes to the Enterprise Finance Guarantee. The Government will help social enterprises make the most of all the investment available through a year-long Social Enterprise Access to Investment Programme.
A new Ministerial Working Group chaired by Liam Byrne will work to encourage social enterprises and charities to compete for specific public service delivery contracts, furthering the Government's commitment to create 25,000 new jobs in social enterprises and charities, and a plan is being drawn up to set out how £45.6 million of public money this year will help social enterprises deliver public services, through a new fast-track investment process.
While there's much chattering from so-called Progressive Conservatives and commentators about devolving services, public sector reform and involving communities, the Government is getting on with it and making the funds available.
Labels: Liam Byrne, parliament, social enterprise, third sector
Ups and downs in fan-owned football
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Today may be the last day of the Premiership, but from a co-operative perspective, all the news has been in the lower divisions - but perhaps not for too much longer. AFC Wimbledon, owned by its fans using the co-operative supporters trust model, has gained its fourth promotion in just seven years. Next year, they will be playing in the Blue Square Premier, looking to get promoted into the Football League in 12 months time.
Their achievement so far is testament to fan power - The Telegraph put it best last month:
Of greatest concern, Stockport County has moved into administration. Their Supporters Trust took on their club when the previous owners walked away, having sold the assets and saddled the club with massive debt. As Supporters Direct have stated, the fans worked hard to rebuild the club. SD Chief Exec Dave Boyle said: "Football stood idly by whilst the club lost control of its assets, and despite this the Trust stepped up and managed to achieve only the sixth promotion in the Club’s history. They also rebuilt many bridges, and reconnected the club with its local community, which remains a testament to their years in control.”
The Trust is looking at various ways to get capital in the club, giving up its shares to find local buyers. But the ongoing financial problems show that fan-owned clubs need the support of regulators, government and the other big players to keep going and to avoid the asset-stripping in the first place.
Their achievement so far is testament to fan power - The Telegraph put it best last month:
[The fanbase] was a sizeable congregation too, one which meant they had more money than their rivals, and all of it came from the sustainable source of a committed fan base, rather than the whim of the local rich guy. But they didn't get this far solely on passionate opposition to MK.While things went well for fan-owned football on the pitch, in the boardroom all clubs are facing challenges.
The club have been brilliantly run, remaining democratic, fan-friendly and in profit. What will be worthy of celebration tomorrow is that AFC have demonstrated that fans can run their own club.
Over their seven-year history there have been sackings and politicking. But when it comes to the important things, such as the bond between those on the pitch and those on the terraces, they have set a new standard. And it is one you wouldn't bet against taking them yet further.
Of greatest concern, Stockport County has moved into administration. Their Supporters Trust took on their club when the previous owners walked away, having sold the assets and saddled the club with massive debt. As Supporters Direct have stated, the fans worked hard to rebuild the club. SD Chief Exec Dave Boyle said: "Football stood idly by whilst the club lost control of its assets, and despite this the Trust stepped up and managed to achieve only the sixth promotion in the Club’s history. They also rebuilt many bridges, and reconnected the club with its local community, which remains a testament to their years in control.”
The Trust is looking at various ways to get capital in the club, giving up its shares to find local buyers. But the ongoing financial problems show that fan-owned clubs need the support of regulators, government and the other big players to keep going and to avoid the asset-stripping in the first place.
Labels: AFC Wimbledon, football, supporters trusts
