Oral Question·Department for Business and Trade
“If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.”
Tabled: 5 March 2026Answered: 12 March 2026
Asked by
Emma Foody
Labour (Co-op) — Cramlington and Killingworth
Answering Minister
the Secretary of State for Business and Trade
Answer from Hansard
Blair McDougall
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Co-operatives create a really important sense of connection at a time when people feel disconnected, but co-ops and mutuals are also more resilient and more productive. That is why we have made the commitment she references. Our call for evidence has closed, and we are working on the proposals that will flow out of that. I really welcome the news this morning that the John Lewis bonus is returning and congratulate it on its results.