Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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Defra announces body to help businesses and communities go green

Defra announces body to help businesses and communities go green

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (News Release ref :66/09) issued by The Government News Network on 25 March 2009

Defra is bringing together a range of bodies under WRAP's leadership to provide a one-stop-shop to help businesses, organisations and households become more resource efficient, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn announced today.

The decision was made following the recommendations from the Delivery Landscape Review set up in February 2008 to examine the seven organisations funded by Defra which currently work on resource efficiency. This will make it easier for businesses and households to get the advice they need on how to be more resource efficient by providing a single point of contact.

Secretary of State for the Environment, Hilary Benn said:

"All these organisations have done a great job in helping businesses and households to use resources more efficiently. But we know that some customers were confused by the myriad of services and bodies, so that is why we are making these changes.

"Now, under WRAP leadership we will provide a one stop shop for resource efficiency advice, and this should make it quicker and easier for people to get what they need."

WRAP CEO Liz Goodwin said:

"We welcome this opportunity to lead a single organisation for resource efficiency. We believe it will help bring clarity for those seeking advice and support on resource efficiency - many of whom have already said they would prefer to deal with one organisation."

This simplification is part of the cross-Government Business Support Simplification Programme which aims to make it easier for businesses to access Government help and advice.

Notes to editors:

1. The organisations which will come under WRAP are:

* The National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP)

* Envirowise

* The Centre for Remanufacturing and Reuse

* Construction Resources and Waste Platform

* Action Sustainability

* Business Resource Efficiency and Waste (BREW) centre for local authorities

2. The Business Support Simplification Programme (BSSP) was announced in the 2006 Budget to reduce the number of publicly funded business support schemes from government from over 3,000 to less than 100 by 2010.

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