New waste minister urged to press on with reforms

Defra is expected to post formal confirmation of her appointment on their website later today or tomorrow.

Ms Harrison, the Conservative MP for Copeland in Cumbria, became parliamentary under secretary at Defra on 7 September as part of the reshuffle following the appointment of Liz Truss as prime minister (see letsrecycle.com story).

Previously, she served as a parliamentary private secretary at the department for transport, ministry for defence and the department for education.

Her appointment as waste minister has been an open secret within the sector. Ms Harrison has already visited the ‘Renew Hub’, the reuse and repair facility run by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) at Trafford Park, in late September (see letsrecycle.com story).

The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), the waste sector’s trade body, welcomed Ms Harrison, saying it was keen to develop a “close working relationship” with her.

The Environmental Services Association (ESA), the trade body for the private waste sector, said it looked forward to working with Ms Harrison to deliver “fundamental, once-in-a-generation, policy reforms”.

In a statement, the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC) said it looked forward to working with Ms Harrison on the challenges and opportunities ahead for local authorities.

And, the Wood Recyclers’ Association, the trade body for the UK’s waste wood sector, also welcomed Ms Harrison’s appointment, lauding her for her background in renewable energy and sustainability.

Career

Ms Harrison holds a foundation degree in sustainable communities from the University of Salford.

Prior to entering politics, Ms Harrison worked at the Sellafield nuclear site for five years as a technical clerk before setting up and running a childcare business.

Following a career break, she was next employed by Copeland borough council, first as a locality officer and then as community regeneration officer.

Ms Harrison left the council in 2013 to work as a programme manager for investors specialising in renewable energy and sustainable community projects.

She was elected Conservative MP for Copeland in 2017 and served on the House of Commons European statutory instruments committee and the education committee.

Reforms

Jacon Hayler, the ESA’s chief executive, said getting the Resources and Waste Strategy “over the line” must now be Ms Harrison’s priority if Defra was to become “economic growth department”.

“Our sector has supported the ambition of these long-awaited reforms from the outset and, over the last four years, ESA members have already invested significant time, energy and capital in response to the emerging Resources and Waste Strategy,” Mr Hayler said.

“However, while the sector remains poised to deliver billions in further infrastructure, green jobs and economic opportunity across the UK, the full scale of potential investment remains stifled until Defra delivers these important, enabling, reforms.”

Progress

The CIWM echoed Mr Hayler’s sentiments in a statement of its own. The trade body said: “CIWM would urge the new minister to prioritise publishing the responses to the government’s [deposit return scheme] and consistency consultations that are now long overdue.

“Progress on these key policy areas, alongside [extended producer responsibility], needs to be urgently reinvigorated to ensure we don’t lose momentum and fall further behind schedule.

“CIWM has been at the heart of the discussions on these policies and looks forward to supporting the minister as they develop the final policy positions and progress to implementation.”

Councils

LARAC represents local authority recycling officers. In its statement, the organisation said of Ms Harrison’s appointment: “LARAC members are keen to hear how she will re-invigorate the various policies outlined in the Resources and Waste Strategy published in 2018, given that impetus seems to have been lost and timescales squeezed with delays to some of the consultation responses and a lack of detailed information.

“LARAC members comprise over 300 of the 400 UK local authorities, who have statutory duties for waste and recycling, and they will provide a key delivery mechanism for any new policies and changes for residents.

“Engaging with LARAC will get the minister’s message out faster and will enable meaningful dialogue and sharing of practical solutions to deliver the policies she wants to introduce.

Wood

Formed in 2001, the WRA says it has more than 110 members representing more than 90% of the waste wood supply chain.

Julia Turner, the WRA’s chief executive, said she looked forward to working with Ms Harrison to “create more alignment” between the government’s environmental and net zero policies and waste wood.

Ms Turner added: “We would also welcome the introduction of higher recycling targets for packaging waste wood.

“This would ensure that recycling rates for packaging waste wood remain high and that all end users get the quality and quantity of waste wood they need.”