A coalition of 19 businesses, NGOs and community repair networks has written to the Prime Minister urging the immediate release of the Circular Economy Growth Plan, warning that continued delays are putting economic benefits and consumer savings at risk.

The letter, dated 27 April and coordinated by The Restart Project, is addressed to Keir Starmer and copied to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds and Science and Technology Secretary Chris McDonald. Signatories include Suez Recycling and Recovery UK, the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), Back Market, AMDEA, Green Alliance, musicMagpie and Wildlife and Countryside Link, alongside five regional repair cafe networks.

"We are writing as businesses, NGOs and community groups to urge you to release the delayed Circular Economy Growth Plan as soon as possible," the letter states. "There is incredible political and public support for measures to keep our products in use for longer - repair, refurbishment and reuse in particular."

The plan has been delayed repeatedly since the Circular Economy Taskforce was established in December 2024 to develop England's first circular economy strategy. Publication was originally expected between summer and autumn 2025, but Reynolds told the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee that Defra was "looking at the new year for a circular economy growth plan" when Spring 2026 became the anticipated target.

Economic case

The signatories cite Cambridge Econometrics research estimating a £25 billion boost to the UK economy from circular economy measures, with CIWM estimating that the repair and reuse sectors alone will need 20,000 workers by 2030, rising to more than 80,000 by 2040.

According to the letter, buyers of resold smartphones could save an average of 28 per cent - close to £300 per device - compared with buying new, while every tonne of items reused could save householders £10,000 versus purchasing new, according to figures from Suez reuse shops. Access to low-cost refurbished goods would also insulate consumers from price rises on new products caused by supply chain disruptions.

Sarah Horner, head of UK and Ireland at Reloop, one of the signatories, said world events had "only strengthened the case for action." She added: "The Government must prioritise this as a matter of urgency following the May elections."

Parliamentary support

The letter references a parliamentary repair event held on 25 March, hosted by The Restart Project and Back Market with support from Green Alliance and Suez, which more than 90 MPs attended. And since the event 150 have signed the UK Repair and Reuse Declaration, which calls for policies that keep products in use for longer to "reduce living costs for UK households and create green skilled jobs."

While the letter acknowledges the cross-government effort committed to the plan since the July 2024 general election, it warns that the Taskforce's work now needs to be acted on. "To now deliver the benefits of this work for businesses and the public, we urge you to publish the plan as soon as possible," it concludes.

The Taskforce, chaired by Andrew Morlet, former chief executive of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, has completed phase one roadmaps covering agri-food, construction, chemicals, electronics, textiles and transport.