Mutual and Co-operative Sector Business Council Congratulates Prime Minister and Reaffirms Commitment to Growing the Sector

04/08/2026

The Mutual and Co-operative Sector Business Council (MCSBC) has written to the Prime Minister following his appointment, congratulating him on becoming the first Labour and Co-operative Prime Minister and reaffirming the Council’s commitment to supporting the Government’s ambition to double the size of the UK’s mutual and co-operative sector.

In its letter, the Council welcomed the Government’s continued commitment to the pledge made in the 2024 General Election manifesto to double the size of the sector, describing it as a world-leading ambition that has the potential to transform the role of mutuals and co-operatives across the economy.

Established in 2025, the Mutual and Co-operative Sector Business Council brings together the UK’s leading mutual and co-operative organisations and representative bodies to work collaboratively with Government in delivering this commitment. Since its formation, the Council has engaged closely with ministers and officials to promote mutual solutions across a range of policy areas, including financial services, housing, education and agriculture.

The letter recognises the Prime Minister’s longstanding support for co-operation and mutuality throughout his career and expresses the Council’s enthusiasm for working with him and his Government to deliver meaningful progress over the coming years.

The Council also highlights the importance of the next 12 to 24 months in creating the conditions needed for sustainable sector growth. It identifies the Government’s response to the Call for Evidence on credit union common bonds, alongside the long-awaited Law Commission report, as significant opportunities to modernise the legislative and policy framework for mutuals and co-operatives.

The letter further calls for progress on improving access to capital, strengthening incentives for mutual and co-operative models through public procurement and economic growth strategies, and providing modern support for co-operative development.

Concluding the letter, the Mutual and Co-operative Sector Business Council reaffirmed its commitment to working in partnership with Government and extended an invitation for the Prime Minister to attend a future meeting of the Council to discuss how the sector can continue supporting the delivery of shared economic and social priorities.