Co-operative News

Co-op merger a sign of confidence: Co-operative News

The  Paul Gosling Column   A ‘United Co-operatives’ moment for Co-operative Financial Services may be looming. The impetus for growth and renewal in the retail sector provided by the merger of the Co-operative Group and United Co-operatives could be replicated by the possible amalgamation of CFS with the Britannia Building Society.   Following the media […]

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When sound financial management is penalised: Co-operative News

  Building societies are angry – and no wonder. The collapse of former society Bradford & Bingley has left them facing massive financial contributions, significant reductions in their profits and a cost to their members through less favourably priced products.   Bradford & Bingley went bust, provoking its nationalisation by the Treasury. To put it

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Theft of ‘mutuality’ lies at the heart of the global financial crisis: Co-operative News

 The Paul Gosling column – this column was written on 22nd September for publication in the first October issue of Co-operative News Washington Mutual remained in business as this sentence was written. By the time it is read there is a very strong chance that it will no longer be trading in its own right

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New co-op legislation is welcome: Co-operative News

  The Paul Gosling Column   Treasury proposals to bring co-operative legislation ‘into the 21st Century’ have been strongly welcomed. But the updating of legislation for co-operatives and other mutuals raises fresh questions about whether the right legal and regulatory framework is in place for social enterprises – whose legislation is not being reviewed.  

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