Ownership matters. It gives people a say in the things they care about. Being an owner in a business for example gives people motivation and a stake in its success. But over the last 30 years, the number of people who have control over the businesses that shape our lives has become smaller, not larger. It's no surprise that when you ask them, people say they have no influence, no influence in their workplace over businesses and over the economy as a whole. Co-operatives, however, offer a solution. From the outside, they may look like any other business, but inside they are very different. They're owned and controlled together by the people closest to the business. Employees, customers, residents, suppliers, not distant shareholders. They have an equal say in how the business is run and they even decide what to do with the profits. And cooperatives work. There are nearly 7,000 independent co-ops in the UK. They're found in every sector from high street retailers to farmer control businesses, cooperative pubs and credit unions. Some of our most famous brands come from cooperatives, from Champagne and Palmasanne to learn pack butter and bird's eyepiece. Even Barcelona Football Club is a co-op owned by its fans. Co-ops contribute £37 billion each year to the British economy and boosts UK productivity innovation and entrepreneurship. And they work for the 15 million members who together own the UK's co-ops. Co-operatives give people. In fact, all of us more control over the things that matter. What do you want to do together?