Defra

Policy

Funding formulas, smart tech, and property protection: Industry calls for flooding strategy 'reboot'

As Floods Minister hints at rethink on how £700m of new flood defence spending will be spent, Environmental Industries Commission calls for 'national debate' on flood spending priorities

clock 14 April 2016 • 4 min read

Recycling

English recycling rates fall for first time since modern records began, but who is to blame?

Recycling industry leader warns latest 'gloomy' figures confirm English recycling rate has flat-lined for three years

clock 23 March 2016 • 7 min read

Recycling

Budget 2016: Government accused of quietly cutting recycling goals and leaving circular economy sector 'empty-handed'

Budget documents confirm government plans to dilute recycling targets for the rest of the decade

clock 18 March 2016 • 3 min read

Policy

Hollowed-out Defra leaves in doubt key functions, MPs say

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee questions whether cuts to environment department budget would allow it to operate effectively in future

clock 09 March 2016 • 3 min read

Legislation

ClientEarth issues final legal warning to Defra over air pollution plans

Environmental law firm has given Defra 10 days to better its plan to tackle air pollution or face further legal action

clock 01 March 2016 • 3 min read

Policy

Defra revamps Natural Capital Committee, as WWF calls for system of nature stress tests

New committee members to advise government on imminent 25 year environment plan

clock 25 February 2016 • 3 min read

Politics

Defra unveils five-year game-plan for a 'cleaner, healthier environment'

Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs publishes its departmental plan for 2015-2020, outlining priority areas in flooding, air pollution and wildlife diversity

clock 22 February 2016 • 3 min read

Risk

London flood risk set to spike, threatening Flood Re insurance scheme, researchers warns

Surge in London housebuilding will increase risk of surface water flooding, putting severe pressure on flood insurance scheme, Oxford researchers find

clock 08 February 2016 • 2 min read

Policy

Defra halves local air pollution funding

Government cuts funding to local authorities in England to £500,000, down from £1m last year

clock 01 February 2016 • 2 min read

Politics

Brexit would damage UK environment, warn senior experts

Senior environment experts issue open letter to Secretary of State Liz Truss to voice concerns that Brexit would jeopardise the UK's environmental protections and weaken its international influence

clock 27 January 2016 • 3 min read