Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to increase opportunities for skilled volunteers with repair and re-use expertise to help to reduce (a) waste and (b) public spending on repairs.

The Government is committed to transitioning to a circular economy which will present an opportunity to create a more inclusive economy, building shared social and economic value for citizens, businesses and communities. The Government recognises that repair and reuse are fundamental tenets of any circular economy, and acknowledges the important role that skilled volunteers and community repair groups play in supporting repair and re‑use and in helping reduce waste. This will be considered within Defra’s forthcoming Circular Economy Growth Plan, which will outline how we will support the transition to a more circular economy.

Volunteering and social action are a cornerstone of society, with more than half of England’s adult population volunteering at least once a year. In recognition of volunteering's vital role in communities, the Government is investing in a new open data infrastructure to make it easier for volunteers to find opportunities that align with their skills, expertise and routines. The Department is also supporting The Big Help Out 2026, which aims to make volunteering opportunities more accessible and inspire new volunteers.

From 1 April 2026, the government will introduce a new VAT relief for businesses that donate goods to charities. This will help boost the supply of essential items to charities, enabling them to reach the people and communities who need them most. It will also make it easier for businesses to give surplus stock a second life, reducing waste and landfill.