Following a review of the Department's delivery bodies which support business, consumers and the public sector in resource efficiency, DEFRA has decided that from April 2010, Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) will lead in the provision of such advice and support. This will provide a streamlined, more efficient service and better value for money to the taxpayer.

The review covered the following organisations:

Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP)

National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP)

Envirowise

Construction Resources and Waste Platform (CRWP)

Centre for Reuse and Remanufacture (CRR)

Action Sustainability (AS)

BREW Centre for Local Authorities

All were involved and consulted throughout the entire review process.

The review also considered the role of Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) in supporting business resource efficiency, including through Business Link as the primary access for business support.

Over the last three years, DEFRA has invested £650 million in a range of programmes that help organisations and the public use resources more efficiently. With this funding our delivery partners have delivered environmental benefits and cost savings for business. They should be rightly proud of their achievements.

The review identified that a single delivery body was the most efficient way of providing resource efficiency services to businesses, the public sector and households; and that such a single point of contact would also ensure greater ease of access for customers. WRAP was identified as the natural focus for this effort, providing the widest range of relevant services, and having the necessary management capability.

This change will support the "Improving your Resource Efficiency" product provided by RDAs through Business Link under Government's Business Support Simplification Programme (BSSP).

Over the coming year, WRAP will work with DEFRA and the other delivery bodies to determine how best to implement this fully integrated service from April 2010.

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wms/?id=2009-03-25a.16WS.2