Where has the co-op bill gone?

Meg Hillier expressed her disappointment after the Co-operatives consolidation Bill was dropped from the Queen's speech.

Meg said in the debate on the Queen’s speech, 'The previous Government did a great deal to change the law on co-operatives and to provide new legislation that made it easier to set them up., but as that was done piecemeal through different Acts of Parliament, there was room to bring it together'

''Consolidation of the co-operatives would have provided the platform for yet more opportunities for mutual's and co-operatives'

She went on to say 'There is a feeling in this House that there is a better way to do business,. If there is a better way of doing business than mutuals, which are owned by their members, who benefit from and see the direct outcomes of that ownership, I do not know what that is.'

Meg also highlighted the opportunities for promoting a role for co-operatives and mutuals as part of a potential shake-up of the energy sector and water industry within the proposed energy and water bills.