Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby MP Addresses All Together Money Conference

11/09/2026

The first day of All Together Money’s Annual Conference 2026 brought together voices from government, the co-operative movement and financial services to explore the opportunities ahead for co-operatives and mutuals – and the role credit unions can play within that wider movement.

The session opened with a video contribution from Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Lucy Rigby MP, before moving into a panel discussion featuring Rose Marley, Chief Executive of Co-operatives UK; Glenn Bemment, Group Head of Corporate and Commercial Banking at Coventry Building Society; and Matt Bland, Chief Executive of All Together Money.

Addressing conference delegates, the minister said: “This government recognises the value of credit unions and we think that [they] have a vital role to play in helping us deliver on our priorities for regional growth, for financial inclusion and importantly, for resilience.”

“Credit unions are rooted in the communities that they serve, owned by members and trusted to provide fair and affordable services to people who may otherwise not be able to access the support that they need. Credit unions are central to that ambition.”

“You help people build financial resilience through savings. You provide fair and affordable credit. You support employers who want to improve the financial well-being of their employees.”

“We want to help the sector to go further, to be able to grow in a sustainable way, reach more people, invest in technology whilst maintaining that trust and that local connection that makes the movement so unique and so valuable.”

“We’re legislating to reform the common bond framework to make it easier for you to serve the communities and the common interests that you know so well.”

“The new £30 million Credit Union Transformation Fund for England… is going to help credit unions to scale sustainably, to modernise technology and to collaborate more effectively.”

With perspectives spanning government, the wider co-operative and mutual sector and financial services, the panel considered the changing landscape for member-owned organisations and the opportunities to build a stronger, more connected and more influential movement. The panel explored what greater collaboration across the movement could look like, where there are opportunities for credit unions to strengthen their position, and how the sector can make the most of its shared values and collective voice.

The discussion also provided an opportunity to consider not only the challenges facing the sector, but what could be achieved by putting the co-operative and mutual model at the heart of conversations about the future of financial services.