Hard-hit Defra to have budget slashed further despite warnings
- Defra's budget was reduced significantly during the austerity period, with a 35% decline in monetary terms and 45% in real terms between 2009/10 and 2018/19.
- The department's funding is set to face further cuts of at least 20%, which will impact nature and flood protections, including a proposed £100 million reduction from England's nature-friendly farming budget.
- Without an increase in funding, the government's targets for halting the decline of species and improving biodiversity by 2030 are unlikely to be achieved.
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in the UK has experienced significant financial constraints, particularly during the austerity measures implemented from 2009 to 2019. The department's budget saw a staggering decline, with analyses revealing a 35% drop in monetary terms and an even steeper 45% decrease in real terms. This reduction was notably greater than that of other government departments, making Defra the most affected during this period. While the budget increased from 2018/19 to 2021/22 due to new responsibilities following Brexit, this influx of funds was largely earmarked for specific post-Brexit needs, failing to compensate for the cuts made during austerity. Analysts warn that these new allocations do not address the essential functions for environmental preservation that were neglected during previous budget cuts. Currently, further budget reductions of at least 20% are anticipated for Defra, with severe implications for nature and flood protections. A proposed £100 million annual decrease in England's nature-friendly farming budget is a key concern, as this funding is critical to support farmers in sustainable practices vital for biodiversity. Experts emphasize that without substantial increases in financial resources specifically for nature-friendly farming, the government’s ambitious environmental targets—such as halting species decline by 2030—will be unattainable, further imperiling the UK’s natural habitats and biodiversity.