My contribution to #CoopParty Debate on Economy policy paper

The Co-operative Party has changed how it runs it conference this year. Instead of deabating motions - some often mutually exclusive - that go nowhere, this year the format is to debate 6 policy papers that have been produced by the NEC. 

Local branches have had chance to contribute to in the drafting process and some of these submissions. Missing policy ideas are able to be added.

The first policy area to be debated was The Economy based on this policy paper

Debate 1. Economy (60 mins)

There were twenty three separate party submissions on the Economy. Twenty one of the submissions were either included or related to other policy papers. 

Two policy ideas have been recommended to the CAC for debate and vote (see below).

1. An incoming Labour and Co-operative government will appoint a government Minister with a specific remit for working with co-operatives and third sector social enterprises in order to help improve their sustainability. 

Yorkshire and Humberside Party

NEC Recommendation: FOR VOTE

2. Fighting the recession and unemployment.The Party should campaign as one of its major priorities, for the introduction of the Living Wage as the best solution to the low wage and benefits income strategy. Also, short term and zero hours contracts in the job market should be phased out.

South West Party

NEC Recommendation: NEC asks to include a vote on the minimum wage being raised to a living wage.This would remove the competitive disadvantage to co-operatives of paying the living wage where their rivals do not.

As part of the discussion on the policy saver. I had this to say in support of the SW Party Council policy idea on the Living Wage 

Paul Bull

Labour and Co-operative Councillor on Exeter City Council

and South West Party delegate

I am proud to say that 30 employees of Exeter City Council will find an extra special Christmas bonus in their December 2013 pay packet

From that date, each and every employee working for Exeter City Council - not of one whom has a zero-hours contract - will receive the Living Wage.

We do this not because we have to - but because we want to.

The Living Wage is a bench mark of good practice and we hope that many businesses in Exeter and beyond will follow our lead.

I would like to see any company that pays a dividend to shareholders being forced to pay the Living Wage

But I am concerned by the NEC recommendation - that the statutory National Minimum Wage should be raised to the Living Wage.

I cannot find fault with the ideal and aspiration - it's the wording of the recommendation gives me a problem.

I work in theatre -

co-operative working models and methods abound

But low pay is endemic and many emerging companies struggle now to pay the minimum wage

To raise this overnight to the level of the Living Wage would remove for opportunities theatre practitioners

I would like see the National Minimum Wage raised year on year to converge towards  he level of verbs Living Wage.

It is only with this proviso can I ask you to support the NEC recommendation