Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, if any, to (1) encourage, and (2) support, (a) co-operative business models, and (b) community ownership.

The government aims to make the UK the best place in the world to start, scale up and grow a business. We provide extensive business support which is accessible to all types of businesses including co-operatives.

Our Business Support Helpline and 38 Growth Hubs provide expert advice, guidance and signposting to all types of business, including pre-start-ups, voluntary, community and social enterprises. Businesses may also be eligible for financial support by the British Business Bank.

Grant funding and leadership training is also available to SMEs to help them adopt industrial and management skills for growing businesses, which could include co-operative businesses being run on a commercial basis.