A co-operative budget?

Ed Mayo's comment on George Osborne's budget:

Among the economic gloom announced by the chancellor, there was one welcome piece of news for the fast-growing co-operative sector. The government announced a consultation on a much-overdue increase in the amount of money that members of co-operatives can invest. This vital change will be a boost to the growth and development of co-operative enterprises with farmers' co-operatives and local communities clubbing together to save shops and services. A co-operative renaissance is underway as people seek out businesses they can trust. 
Ed Mayo
Secretary general, Co-operatives UK

Taken from a letter to the Guardian, which otherwise expounds the economic gloom being imposed by the Chancellor.