Environment

The Waste and Resources Action Programme (Wrap) has been urged to focus on issues with "the greatest environmental impact", after it revealed that it faces a 25% budget cut next year.

Packaging Federation chief executive Dick Searle said that, "on the basis of a reduction in resources", Wrap should concentrate on "scientifically proven major issues".

"With a trimmed budget, it's even more important to focus on reducing food waste and work with local authorities to improve recycling," he said.

His view was echoed by Jane Bickerstaffe, director of the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (Incpen), who hoped that cuts would be made so as "not to affect the good work" Wrap was doing.

"The packaging supply chain already does a lot of work in areas such as lightweighting, but through Wrap, it is more immediate and available to more businesses," she added.

Wrap chief executive Liz Goodwin said the budget cuts would be likely to cause a "net reduction" in jobs, but the organisation would probably create new posts to reflect new business priorities.

Wrap is holding a consultation with staff and proposals will be put to representatives in early January.

The budget and programmes for next year will be "clarified" by early February.