Labour Party Conference, Liverpool

Labour Conference in Liverpool was buzzy around their manifesto commitment to double the size of the co-operative and mutual economy, with colleagues representing the Building Societies Association across a number of events.

Doubling the co-operative and mutual economy

At our fringe event (held with ABCUL, the Association for Financial Mutuals & Co-ops UK) we discussed Labour’s manifesto commitment to doubling the size of the co-operative and mutual economy with both Tulip Siddiq MP (Economic Secretary to the Treasury) and Gareth Thomas MP (Minister in the Department for Business & Trade).

Gareth spoke of the need to create a modern framework for mutuals, unlock finance without compromising the mutual status and the need for regulators to be more ambitious.  Tulip shared that she had been a coop party member since she was a teenager and her commitment is demonstrated by the manifesto commitment to double the sector. In response to a question from the audience, she confirmed she wants to see mutuals around the table as part of the conversation.

Andrew Gall, BSA Head of Savings & Economics, spoke at a fringe event with Lucy Powell MP, Leader of the House of Commons, and Juergen Maier, of vocL and Chair of GB Energy, on the topic of responsible business leadership to support sustainable UK growth and innovation. Andrew highlighted the important contribution a stronger cooperative and mutual sector can bring, using UK Savings Week as an example of the sector taking the lead to drive social change.

Housing and planning

A common refrain across Labour Conference was that housing is a national crisis that needs national policy solutions. It was also reassuring to hear Rachel Reeves (Chancellor) recognise that the housing market needed more than policies that stimulate first time buyer demand, something the BSA has long spoken about.
 
Matthew Pennycook (Housing Minister) spoke passionately of the need to streamline the planning system to enable more homes, while Meg Hillier (incoming Treasury Select Committee Chair) pleaded for the Prime Minister to avoid the revolving door of housing ministers during this term. It was also refreshing to hear Chris Curtis MP (elected for the first time in July 2024) share the experience of the new cohort of MPs.  Their experience of living with the housing crisis means they are committed to tackling the issues for the good.

With the growing role of devolution, metro mayors also have a key role to play in tackling the housing crisis. While they do not have responsibility for planning, they do have budgets for transport. Given infrastructure led solutions are key, their role is growing in importance.

Conservative Party Conference, Birmingham

The Conservatives met in Birmingham this year in a reflective mood, following the General Election result and in the midst of a leadership election. 

The role of mutuals and co-operatives in economic growth

John Glen MP (Shadow Paymaster General) joined the BSA and its partners to discuss the role of mutuals and co-operatives in economic growth. The event was a reminder of the cross-party support for the mutual and co-operative sector. The continuing support from John – for building societies and credit union, employee owned businesses and community owned shops and pubs was encouraging to hear. 

Liberal Democrats Party Conference, Brighton

The Lib Dems met in Brighton to discuss a range of issues with housing and financial inclusion featuring in some of the discussions around conference.  In terms of housing the discussion focused on the need for targets and concrete plans to deliver more homes, while the discussion around financial inclusion explored banking hubs and the need for a UK version of the Community Reinvestment Act.