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Government consultation: co-operative business support

2026-01-19T12:30:39+00:00

Plunkett UK is encouraging its members to respond to an important statutory consultation launched by the UK Government on business support for co-operatives and non-financial mutuals – which includes rural community owned businesses. This call for evidence, published by the Department for Business and Trade, seeks input from organisations, stakeholders [...]

Government consultation: co-operative business support2026-01-19T12:30:39+00:00

A New Year’s Message from our Chief Executive

2026-01-13T14:08:36+00:00

Hear from our Chief Executive, James Alcock, in his New Year’s message filmed at Hampstead Norreys Community Shop. “We want to put our members at the very forefront of everything we do.” As we step into 2026, Plunkett UK’s Chief Executive, James Alcock, shares a clear message: our members sit [...]

A New Year’s Message from our Chief Executive2026-01-13T14:08:36+00:00

Tackling Deprivation in Rural Areas through Community Ownership

2026-01-07T12:51:23+00:00

Plunkett UK has shared its insights and policy suggestions to tackle deprivation in rural areas with the Labour Rural Research Group in response to its call for evidence to inform an upcoming report on rural poverty. Rural deprivation is frequently hidden within national datasets, masked by averages and low population density. [...]

Tackling Deprivation in Rural Areas through Community Ownership2026-01-07T12:51:23+00:00

Glamour meets giving at Plunkett’s Gala Auction

2025-12-04T12:10:33+00:00

Over £20,000 was raised to support Plunkett UK’s work with community-owned businesses at our Gala Dinner, held last Tuesday (25 November). Around 100 guests gathered at the elegant Royal Society of Arts House in London for a special evening raising funds to support our work in helping communities save vital [...]

Glamour meets giving at Plunkett’s Gala Auction2025-12-04T12:10:33+00:00

Rural community businesses left behind by Budget, says Plunkett UK

2025-11-26T17:32:51+00:00

Plunkett UK has expressed deep disappointment that today’s Budget fails to deliver meaningful support for rural community businesses – despite the Government’s own commitment to grow the co-operative sector. In advance of today’s Budget, the charity submitted a clear and constructive proposal to the Chancellor setting out what is needed [...]

Rural community businesses left behind by Budget, says Plunkett UK2025-11-26T17:32:51+00:00

Plunkett urges the Government to accept Community Ownership Amendment to Bill

2025-11-14T09:43:20+00:00

Caroline Voaden MP for South Devon has received our backing over her intervention during the passage of a crucial piece legislation in Parliament. The MP has called for the establishment of a Community Ownership Fund (COF) within six months of the passage of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. [...]

Plunkett urges the Government to accept Community Ownership Amendment to Bill2025-11-14T09:43:20+00:00

Parliamentarians Visit Plunkett UK Members to Support Community Ownership in Fife

2025-11-12T13:50:53+00:00

Wendy Chamberlain MP and Willie Rennie MSP have visited two inspiring communities in Fife to support these local initiatives and the role of Plunkett UK in supporting thriving rural communities. Visits to The Haven Community Inn in Cellardyke and Elie Kirk Community Enterprise Limited (EKCEL) formed part of the parliamentarians’ tour [...]

Parliamentarians Visit Plunkett UK Members to Support Community Ownership in Fife2025-11-12T13:50:53+00:00

Parliament hears rural community business concerns at report launch

2025-11-06T15:36:42+00:00

More than 70 politicians, partners and community business representatives gathered at the Houses of Parliament this week for the launch of Plunkett UK’s flagship research report, Community Ownership: a Better Form of Business. Ahead of the Autumn Budget, Plunkett UK called on support from government to ensure that community groups [...]

Parliament hears rural community business concerns at report launch2025-11-06T15:36:42+00:00

Rural community-owned businesses hold the key to delivering national goals – but are being overlooked

2025-12-01T15:06:08+00:00

New research from Plunkett UK reveals that rural community-owned businesses are already delivering social, economic and environmental benefits that align directly with government ambitions – yet they remain under-recognised and under-supported in doing so. Encouraging growth Plunkett’s annual report, Community Ownership: A Better Form of Business shows that the [...]

Rural community-owned businesses hold the key to delivering national goals – but are being overlooked2025-12-01T15:06:08+00:00

Plunkett response on Future of the Post Office Green Paper

2025-12-10T13:17:26+00:00

Plunkett UK has welcomed the opportunity to respond to the Government’s Green Paper on ‘The Future of the Post Office’ this week. Over 300 Post Offices of various types are housed in community businesses nationwide, and are a lifeline for many rural communities, providing not only postal and banking services [...]

Plunkett response on Future of the Post Office Green Paper2025-12-10T13:17:26+00:00
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