The government’s resources and waste reforms for England

Defra should develop a clear outline path to achieving all of its resources and waste ambitions in a way that gives it a clear overview of: ? when key decisions need to be made by in order to ensure realistic timeframes for the design, testing and implementation of new policies; ? what sequencing of interventions is likely to produce most benefit; and ? how the waste sector as a whole needs to change to meet government?s multiple objectives and targets;

Ref Page 15, 24 · Implemented Q4 2025-26

Defra should determine, with HM Treasury and DESNZ?s support: ? the likely cost implications of different options, in broad terms, for businesses, consumers and the taxpayer; ? where the main dependencies between policy interventions are likely to be; and ? how government will manage common or overarching success factors such as business and public engagement;

Ref Page 16, b · Implemented Q4 2025-26

Defra should improve its approach to managing the risks associated with the collection and packaging reforms by establishing clear criteria for its review points. This will help Defra make informed decisions about whether to go ahead with the schemes, based on a clear view of the risks to delivery and the strength of contingency plans; and

Ref Page 16, f

Defra should engage external stakeholders fully and promptly in its outline plans for future resources and waste interventions to give them as much clarity as possible about the direction of travel, so that companies have confidence to invest in the changes to business models and waste infrastructure capacity that are needed;

Ref Page 16, c · Implemented Q4 2025-26

Defra should carry out a review of the deposit return scheme, including: ? updating its evidence on the likely take-up of the deposit return scheme, and the proposed benefits, including the impact of the scheme on amounts of litter from drinks containers, and drawing on any evidence available from pilots carried out in Scotland; and ? deciding whether, based on that review together with evidence from wider international experience, and an assessment of the impact on timetables and costs, a pilot scheme would be beneficial to protect value for money.

Ref Page 16, e · Implemented Q4 2024-25

Defra should ensure that it develops and maintains a good understanding of the risks associated with collecting sufficiently meaningful, good-quality, and consistent data through digital waste-tracking;

Ref Page 16, d · Implemented Q1 2025-26

Defra should carry out a lessons-learned exercise in advance of the formal evaluation of the reforms to determine practical steps that could be taken to help avoid the challenges it has faced recurring in its future resources and waste work. This should include an analysis of how Defra will ensure it improves its approach to: ? setting programmes up well at the outset with a clear programme vision, and integrated delivery plans; and ? securing in good time the resources and expertise it will require to deliver the programme to the agreed timeframes.

Ref Page 16, g · Implemented Q3 2023-24