Call for new Community Ownership Fund

In the Commons yesterday, I asked the Leader of the House about bringing forward a new round of the Community Ownership Fund.

Community ownership is an important Co-operative Party campaign, it’s about empowerment, pride, identity, and keeping the places that matter in local hands. When a pub, a sports club, or a community space is at risk, people should have a real chance to step in and save it.

Sometimes protection by listing as a community asset is enough, as we’ve secured with Boundary Park and pubs like the Daisy Field Inn, but when they need greater protection ownership really matters. I’ve pushed this before with Avro FC. A brilliant local club with deep roots in the community, fighting not just for survival but for its future.

For some communities they have the resources to step in, but many do not. Often it’s the communities who need it most who need the greatest financial backing. That’s why we need new round of the Community Ownership Fund.