News

The Waste and Resources Action Programme (Wrap), the government-funded organisation charged with maximising the efficiency of packaging materials, has cut 31 jobs prior to budget meetings with the government.

Wrap chief executive Liz Goodwin announced in December that the organisation was facing a possible 25% budget cut for the 2008/2009 financial year, which would probably lead to a "net reduction" in jobs.

A Wrap spokeswoman said today (5 February) that, following a review of "our priority areas", the organisation had terminated some positions and issued 31 redundancy notices yesterday.

"We are also creating 18 new posts to help us deliver our objectives in the new business plan, due in the spring. There will be new opportunities at Wrap," she said.

Wrap previously received annual funding from the government of around £70m, but was told to look for 25% savings, with a 5% window either way.

A final budget settlement is expected in the next few weeks.