Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to ensure there is support for co-operative entrepreneurship in the Government's covid-19 recovery strategies; and if he will make a statement.

The Government recognises the value of co-operatives, and the contribution they make to all sectors of the economy. The first phase of our economic response has seen us take unprecedented steps to support the economy through the crisis; to keep as many people as possible in their existing jobs, to support viable businesses, including co-operatives, to stay afloat, and to protect the incomes of the most vulnerable.

As we start to open the economy up and we look forward, our energies will focus on planning for the recovery, we will consider how best to support the economic recovery. We will develop new measures to grow the economy, to back business, including co-operatives, to boost skills, and to help people thrive in the new post-Covid world. We will continue to consider how we can best support the co-operative sector to reach its potential, and welcome the views of Co-operatives UK and others in the sector as we do.