Over 50 businesses and trade associations (including IKEA, Virgin Media O2, SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, Arup, REA (Renewable Energy Association), TechUK, UKFT and the Packaging Federation) have today sent a letter to Defra Secretary of State Emma Reynolds urging the government to publish its long delayed Circular Economy Growth Plan.

Held back for over six months, it was originally expected in October last year.

After the cabinet reshuffle in September 2025, there was a further promise that it would come early this year.

But, with no sign of the plan, businesses are worried the ongoing delay “will harm momentum towards a more resilient, resource efficient economy.”

They say businesses need the Circular Economy Growth Plan now to end uncertainty and give them “the confidence to invest further, scale up what is already working and accelerate a circular economy transition across our operations.”

At a time of heightened economic insecurity and cost of living pressures, the Circular Economy Growth Plan should outline a clear direction from the government on accelerating changes proven to cut costs, improve competitiveness and enhance industrial performance. The businesses are highly aware that, done right, the circular economy would be a source of new jobs and that it will help to address public dissatisfaction around waste.

The plan is expected to focus on ending the throwaway society and futureproofing the economy, including by introducing better systems to prioritise remanufacture and reuse of valuable products and resources, rather than just discarding them, and ensuring high product quality and access to repair for consumers.

England is falling behind other countries, including the devolved nations of the UK, which have already set out plans to boost their economies by prioritising circularity.

Libby Peake, head of resources and senior fellow at Green Alliance, says:

“The delay to this hotly anticipated plan is really frustrating for all kinds of businesses and is bad news for consumers. At a time when we need every tool in the box to create greater economic resilience, holding back on this transformative plan makes no sense. It’s an obvious way to protect business supply chains, stimulate jobs and growth and keep prices down for consumers. The government should stop procrastinating and give businesses, the wider economy and the general public something all the evidence shows is needed now.”

Trevor Hutchings, CEO, REA, says:

“The war in the Middle East highlights the need to reduce our reliance on concentrated international supply chains and to make better use of our own resources by moving to a circular economy. By increasing the circular management of critical minerals, biodegradable wastes and other resources, we can turn a domestic challenge into a strategic asset.

“The circular economy is a jobs and growth opportunity. It will drive efficiencies, lower bills and strengthen the UK’s long term energy and nutrient security. Now more than ever we need clarity from government to drive progress, so we support the call for government to publish the Circular Economy Growth Plan without delay.”

Kristina Bull, co-founder of WEFT, says:

“WEFT feels the frustration across industry at the continued delay to the Circular Economy Growth Plan. From our work with manufacturers, SMEs and fashion and textiles brands, we are seeing how uncertainty is holding back investment and making it harder to scale circular solutions. We are also concerned for the viability of existing collection and sorting operators, given recent withdrawals of service from areas of the UK.

“Our recent consumer research shows that policy design can influence behaviour, but that affordability and practicality remain central to how people make purchasing decisions. Government now needs to match industry intent with a plan that is not only published quickly, but ambitious enough to give businesses the confidence to invest and move forward.”

 Rachel Solomon Williams, Aldersgate Group Executive director, says:

“The continued delay to the Circular Economy Growth Plan is creating real uncertainty for business. We need a clear, cross‑government, long‑term approach that provides policy certainty, supports resilience, and enables investment. This is particularly important as the UK seeks to reset its relationship with the EU: policy divergence can cause substantial practical and economic challenges for business.”

ENDS

For more information, contact:

• Libby Peake, head of resource policy and senior fellow at Green Alliance, is one of the 18 members of the government’s Circular Economy Task Force who have been advising on the plan since November 2024. Note that her public statements are as an independent commentator, not a member of the Circular Economy Task Force.
• Alice Stafford, senior communications officer, Green Alliance
  astafford@green-alliance.org.uk, 07354 848 179