An alliance of co-operative businesses and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has launched a new petition - the first of its kind - which calls for co-operative action to narrow the gap between rich and the poor in the UK.
With the gap at its highest since records began, the petition aims to get 100,000 people calling for national debate on narrowing the gap through action to share ownership and wealth in a co-operative way.
Over 25 prominent organisations are supporting the petition, including Friends of the Earth, National Union of Students, Mother’s Union, Groundwork, National Council for Voluntary Organisations, the National Childbirth Trust and the Equality Trust.
The petition was launched outside the Bank of England by leading figures from the co-operative sector including Len Wardle, Chair of the Co-operative Group, Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK and representatives, young and old, from the co-operative sector and from NGOs.
The petition is being launched in the run up to Co-operatives Fortnight (25 June to 9 July 2011), the co-operative sector’s national campaign. With its theme of Yours to Share. The Fortnight is supported by co-operatives across the UK – businesses that give everyday employees, customers and residents an equal say in decisions and a share in the profits.
The petition can be signed and shared at www.uk.coop/yourstoshare/petition
Len Wardle, Chair of The Co-operative Group, said: “With a retail outlet now in every UK postal area, we are very well aware of differences in peoples’ income and the impact that has on everyday lives. Our recently-launched Ethical Plan ensures that ten per cent of our profits available for distribution will be put into community investment by 2013 with £5m specifically used each year to tackle UK poverty around our outlets – a clear indication of the difference Co-operatives can make to this issue.”
Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, the national trade body for co-operative enterprises, said: “Evidence shows a growing gap between rich and poor in the UK. The richest 10% of the UK now has 100 times the wealth of the poorest 10%. This petition – which I think of as the ‘spirit level’ petition following the groundbreaking work of The Equality Trust – aims to trigger action to promote measures that will narrow the gap between rich and poor.
“As businesses that share profits, ownership and wealth, co-operatives are the perfect way to create a fairer economy.”
Sir Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive of National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), said: “We are delighted to be lending our support to Co-operatives Fortnight. Co-operatives have an integral role to play in building the good society, as they promote social justice and inspire people to make a positive difference to their communities.”
Kevin Curley, Chief Executive of National Association for Voluntary and Community Action, said: “NAVCA is pleased to support Co-operatives Fortnight. Our members have a long tradition of supporting the development of small, local co-operatives. We will continue to support the development of true co-operatives, springing from the passion of local founders who see a need and create an opportunity.” Stephen Joseph, Chief Executive of Campaign for Better Transport, said: “At Campaign for Better Transport, we believe co-operatives and mutuals can play a pivotal role in providing transport services that focus on the needs of local people. That’s why we’re proud to support the Co-operative Fortnight and its wider aims of narrowing the gap between rich and poor.”
The sponsors of Co-operatives Fortnight:The Co-operative Group, Midcounties Co-operative, Midlands Co-operative Society, The Southern Co-operative, East of England Co-operative Society, Benenden Healthcare, Lincolnshire Co-operative, Anglia Co-operative Society, Chelmsford Star Co-operative, Channel Islands Co-operative Society, HF Holidays, CDS Co-operatives.
The alliance of organisations supporting the petition are, to date: Campaign for Better Transport, Centre for Local Economic Strategies, Community Matters, Compass, Counsel and Care, Church Action on Poverty, Churches Together in Sussex, Equality Trust, Friends of the Earth, General Federation of Trade Unions, Groundwork UK, Local Works, Mothers’ Union, Plunkett Foundation, National Association for Voluntary and Community Action, National Association of Co-operative Officials, National Union of Students, National Childbirth Trust, National Council for Voluntary Organisations, National Union of Journalists, Progress, Social Enterprise Coalition, Social Firms UK, Soil Association, Supporters Direct, TSSA, Urban Forum, Woodcraft Folk.