The Waste and Resources Action Plan (WRAP) has announced it is to make 25 members of staff redundant in an effort to “cut fixed costs” to offset its drop in income.
Successive cuts in government funding, along with challenges in diversifying its revenue streams, means WRAP needs to cut fixed costs to offset the significant drop in income it has faced since 2015, it says.
Subject to consultation with staff that is now under way, this is anticipated to lead to the loss of around 25 members of staff. WRAP currently has a total of around 180 staff.
Marcus Gover, chief executive of WRAP, says the changes will ensure WRAP can continue to drive sustainable production and consumption in the UK and globally, and remain financially stable.
“Sadly, we cannot achieve the scale of savings we need without losing staff. This has been a difficult decision and is always a last resort. I am determined that the process of redundancy will be as fair and as compassionate as possible.”
He said in a statement: “We are in an environment where there is continued pressure on public spending, as well as ongoing economic uncertainty, and WRAP is not immune to that. We have been able to achieve great results by combining our resources with others to achieve impact with less funding, and that approach will continue. But we have now reached a point where we also need to make significant costs savings.
“Sadly, we cannot achieve the scale of savings we need without losing staff. This has been a difficult decision and is always a last resort. I am determined that the process of redundancy will be as fair and as compassionate as possible.
“The redesign will enable WRAP to accelerate its transition to an organisation which catalyses change through partnership. We will need to focus on the areas where we can make the biggest impact. We will also need increased support, including financial, from existing and future business partners.
“There is still a lot of important work to be done and there is a great opportunity to capitalise on the gathering momentum to tackle issues like food waste, recycling and reducing the impact of plastics on the environment. WRAP will continue to play a leading role, working with governments, businesses and citizens, in achieving a world where resources are used sustainably.”
A Defra spokesperson said the department continues to work with WRAP and is expecting to agree its budgets for 2018/19 shortly. It says all areas of public spending have been under pressure in recent years “to ensure value for money” and it’s up to delivery partners to manage their budgets in line with government priorities.
“Reducing plastic waste, improving recycling and increasing resource efficiency are a crucial part of our 25 year environment plan,” the Defra spokesperson said. “We are investing £50m to tackle waste crime which blights our environment, and will shortly be awarding the first grants from our £500,000 fund to community projects to develop innovative ways of dealing with litter.
“WRAP has delivered an ambitious and highly regarded programme, and we are working closely with them to ensure this programme is delivered.”
