Data released today by Co-operatives UK makes it clear: the co-operative economy is not slowing down. We must deliver on our aim to double the size of the co-operative and mutual sector, positioning co-operatives as a proud British export.

NEW: The UK’s co-operative sector is booming - worth £179.2bn in 2025. 💷 That’s billions of pounds in the member-owned, democratic economy. Co-ops work. 📈

With less than a week to go, here's our full fringe lineup for Labour Party Conference 2025. 🌹 We're excited to see you at our events covering topics from financial inclusion to community energy, with co-operation at the heart of each fringe. 🐝

We're warmly wishing all those celebrating Rosh Hashanah a Happy New Year from all of the Co-operative Party. Shanah Tovah!

We can build peace through co-operation. Our model centres the needs of its members, and when communities share in their redevelopment, they have a real stake in a sustainable future together.

Co-operative development is crucial for our aim to double the size of the co-operative and mutuals sector. Our General Secretary Joe Fortune visited Aizlewood Mill - developing co-ops in Sheffield, where we've been involved from the start.

When you join our Party, you’re more than a member: you’re an owner. 🤝 We live our principles: a co-op, run by members, for members. Join today.

When energy is community-owned, the benefits stay in your hands: community wealth, local power, a greener Britain. That’s why Great British Energy’s strategy puts community energy front and centre.

Community energy allows local people to produce, consume and own energy where they live, together. It is incredibly positive to see community energy continue to feature so prominently in the delivery of the Clean Power Mission.

Over 2.3 million people in the UK are now members of a credit union, and we have the opportunity to make them even more central to inclusive finance and regional economic growth. We must double the size of the co-operative and mutuals sector.

🚨 BREAKING: Communities run through the just-announced Strategic Priorities for Great British Energy. This Government is delivering on its commitment to roll out clean, green, community-owned energy. 🌱

🚨 BREAKING: Communities run through the just-announced Strategic Priorities for Great British Energy. This Government is delivering on its commitment to roll out clean, green, community-owned energy. 🌱

It’s in our nature. It’s in our politics.

It’s in our nature. It’s in our politics.

This is what we're about - bringing communities together with ownership. That's because we think communities should be at the heart of politics, not just an afterthought.

We visited the Building Stronger Local Places event at the Mildmay Club, where Co-operative speaker @kirstymcneill.bsky.social made the case for social clubs as more than co-op history - but as a massive part of our communities' future.

We spoke to members of the public about the transformative new Community Right to Buy - watch our new video to find out what they think. youtu.be/GlFW11DXn3s

🐝@🌹'25 Fringe Announced – Driving Inclusive Growth for a Fair and Inclusive Economy Partnered with Arla, Better Society Capital, and Park Street Partners, and joined by Alistair Strathern MP, we'll be discussing how inclusive growth can deliver a fairer economy for all.

Education is vital for a more co-operative future. That's why we're campaigning to put co-ops on the curriculum.

"How can we build vital, high-quality housing without lowering our expectations? The answer is community-led housing. In particular, Community Land Trusts (CLTs) and co-operative housing." ✏️ Beth Cheshire party.coop/2025/09/02/w...

We’re pleased to be working alongside 13 Labour & Co-operative ministers, and grateful to friends who’ve served with such dedication. Our purpose is clear: to double the size of the co-operative sector, empower communities, and build a fairer economy together.

"This change is huge, but it’s also so simple. Giving people that know the most about where they live, the biggest say in what happens there, and a chance to properly invest in the place they call home." ✏️ Meg Griggs

What if your community got a shot at saving the places you actually use - before they vanish? We took that question to the public. Here’s what they had to say. 🎥👇

A proud day for community power, a proud day for the @coopparty.party.coop ✊🏾

🐝@🌹'25 Fringe Announced – Holding on to HOPE: How to Build Community Britain Partnered with @hopenothate.org.uk, @powertochange.org.uk and joined by @roswynnejones.bsky.social and Alex Norris MP, we'll be discussing how co-operation and community ownership can be crucial tools in fighting division.

We've got a plan, and we want you and your community to be part of it. Read more about plans for a Community Right to Buy in the New Statesman.

Yesterday in Parliament, Labour and Co-operative MPs and Government Ministers welcomed new powers to save local assets like pubs, cafes, and sports venues. Catch up with yesterday's day in Parliament 👇

Parliament has completed the Second Reading of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. This Bill legislates for a new Community Right to Buy in England, automatic registration of sports venues as Assets of Community Value, and expands the definition of ACVs.

You're welcome, Alice! 🫶 Alice Macdonald is one of our proud Labour and Co-operative MPs. The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill is a testament to the work they do to represent our movement in Parliament.

🐝@🌹'25 Fringe Announced – Peace & Co-operation: A new model for International Development Partnered with the Co-op Group, @labourcid.bsky.social, and joined by @oxfamgb.bsky.social and Anneliese Dodds MP, we'll be recognising the power of co-operatives in building a more peaceful world.

In Parliament just now, Angela Rayner set out plans for a new Community Right to Buy: giving local people the power to protect the places that matter. From shops and pubs to sports grounds, this is about control, pride, and real community power.

This government is using the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to give communities a real stake and a say in their local area. Our movement's values are at the heart of this legislation.

🧵 Later today, the House of Commons will start the second reading of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. This is a landmark moment: the biggest shift in power from government to communities in decades. Here's why it matters 👇

🐝@🌹'25 Fringe Announced – Access for All: Tackling Financial Exclusion in the UK Partnered with @gmb.org.uk, @link-atm-scheme.bsky.social, @fair4allfinance.bsky.social, and joined by Meg Hillier MP, we'll be covering how our movement can make finance accessible to everyone in the UK

Congratulations to Labour and Co-operative MP James Murray, Chief Secretary of the Treasury.

Our Labour Conference Fringe programme is now available. From tackling financial exclusion to community energy, inclusive growth & international development, we're bringing co-operation to the heart of Conference. Stay tuned for speaker details! 🌹🐝

🎶 Live music is at risk. Too many venues are closing, and too many artists are struggling. MPs are asking fans: would you buy a community share in your local music venue if it gave you a say in how it’s run? Say YES to community ownership, and make sure Parliament hears you.

Would you chip in to save your local grassroots music venue, if it meant you got a say and stake in how it's run? That's the question MPs are asking as part of a fan-led review of live music, so we spoke to festival-goers headed to Reading Festival to see what they think. 🎸🙋

Our General Secretary Joe Fortune welcomes government commitments to co-operatives in the recent Small Business Strategy. Read more below ⬇️

🎓 Thousands celebrate GCSE results today. But co-operatives aren’t part of the National Curriculum in England, so most students will never learn about them.

🥳 Congratulations to everyone receiving their GCSE and BTEC results today! We believe learning should empower people to build fairer, stronger communities together, with education as one of the Co-operative Principles. 🎉

🌞 On the rooftops of Aldgate, @rachelblakemp.bsky.social and @metecoban92.bsky.social show how community energy is powering London’s future. Solar panels on the Middlesex Street estate are proof that when power is put back in the hands of communities, change happens: cleaner, greener, fairer.

We joined @rachelblakemp.bsky.social, @metecoban92.bsky.social @repoweringlondon.bsky.social and @communityenergyldn.bsky.social at Middlesex Street Estate in the City of London 🌇 If we can power communities with solar right here in the Square Mile, we can do it everywhere. 🌞✨

🥳 Congratulations to everyone receiving their A Level, T Level, or VTQ results today! Education is one of the Co-operative Principles, and we believe learning should empower people not just to succeed individually, but to build fairer, stronger communities together.

Thousands of students celebrate A Level results today - but none were taught about co-operatives, despite co-ops being an essential part of our history and contributing £165bn to our economy.

You wouldn’t put sunscreen with champagne on the shop shelf, so why do they share a VAT rate? Sunscreen isn’t a luxury: it’s protection against skin cancer. Let's scrap the tax and make it affordable for everyone.

Sunscreen is currently classified in the UK as a “cosmetic product”, which means that it is subject to 20% VAT. Wearing sunscreen is key to preventing sunburn, one of the major causes of skin cancer. It's not cosmetic: it's essential.

Britain’s biggest toy shop, The Entertainer, is becoming employee-owned: giving 1,900 staff a share in profits and a say in decisions. Building a fairer economy is child’s play.

🚨 NEW: The Co-operative Party is Britain’s fourth-largest party in Parliament. But in BBC output, our representatives are often labelled simply as “Labour”. We asked how often this happens, but the BBC refused to say. Today, we’re asking for answers.

Music to our ears 🎶 “We need more live music - and we need to support it,” says Keir Starmer. Music venues thrive in the hands of communities - that's why the Community Right to Buy is so essential.