Mary Creagh named Defra Minister responsible for circular economy
Former Environmental Audit Committee chair recently appointed Minister for Nature will also hold waste resources portfolio.
Mary Creagh, has been appointed as the Minister overseeing the circular economy at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
In her new role, Creagh will have ministerial responsibility for piloting Defra through a raft of waste policy reforms, in line with Secretary of State Steve Reed’s recent commitment to create a ‘roadmap to move Britain to a zero waste economy’.
MP for Coventry East, Creagh brings a wealth of experience to the position, having previously served as chair of the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) from 2016 to 2019.
She has also been made responsible for green finance, environmental targets and the Government's Environmental Improvement Plan, as well as overseeing the Office for Environmental Protection.
Her influence in the waste and resources sector was recognised in 2016 when she was voted number 1 in the Resource Hot100. At the time, following the award, Creagh commented on her committee's work: "From securing a ban on microbeads, holding the Treasury to account on waste and recycling, to looking at what EU membership has done for UK environmental protection, it has been a busy year for the Environmental Audit Committee."
Creagh has consistently emphasised the importance of strong environmental policies. In 2017 she told Resource: "As we negotiate to leave the EU, we need to make sure that we have strong environmental goals enshrined in law, to provide the framework for a new green industrial revolution in sustainable technology. Industries and investors need a strong signal from the government about the future direction of environmental standards and targets."
In her previous roles, Creagh has been a vocal advocate for sustainable development and has pushed for specific, measurable, and time-bound milestones for environmental goals. Her approach to environmental policy has often emphasised the connection between environmental protection and social justice, noting that the poorest often "pay the price for environmental neglect."
