Britain is turning its back on co-operative insurance | Social Enterprise Network | Guardian Professional The Co-operative Group recently announced that it wants to sell off its general insurance operations. If it goes ahead, it will mean the end of almost a century and a half of co-operative insurance in Britain. The original Co-operative Insurance Society (CIS) was set up in 1867 to provide fire insurance for the rapidly increasing number of retail societies within the co-operative movement. In 1912, it became part of what is now the Co-operative Group following a take-over by the co-operative wholesale societies. Despite suffering a £662m loss, the group maintains that the general insurance sale is still part of its strategy, following the sale of its life insurance and fund management business. But although Britain is turning its back on co-operative insurance, the rest of the world is not. Zenkyoren was set up in 1951. And the impulse which led to Zenkyoren and the Co-operators is still very much alive. This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional.
Getting cheaper energy bills: thePeoplesPower How local groups can benefit from community buying | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional Inflation may be on its way down, but soaring prices over the past few years have put the budgets of households and community groups under pressure. Shopping around can reduce bills, but the really big savings can often only be achieved when commodities are ordered in large quantities – something that can be beyond the means of householders and small community groups. That's why some are joining up with other members of their community to reduce their bills by buying collectively. Research by Co-operatives UK shows that almost 20% of people are buying co-operatively. This ranges from a few families clubbing together to buy organic food to vast heating-oil buying syndicates stretching across several counties. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is seeking to inspire new models of community buying and encourage the sharing of good practice with its Better Buy Together Challenge. There are many examples of thriving community buying groups around the UK.
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