Asked by: Jim McMahon (Labour (Co-op) - Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps are being taken to increase the number of worker co-operatives worldwide in order to promote sustainable development.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
DFID is committed to ensuring inclusive economic development in the countries where we work, including creating better quality jobs for the poorest and most marginalised. DFID has supported the growth of co-operatives, particularly in the agriculture sector. For example, in the Nigerian dairy market, the Business Innovation Facility project is working with pastoralist co-operatives to boost milk production. We will continue to look for opportunities to support worker co-operatives as one channel through which we can help to create the more and better jobs required to achieve Global Goal 8.