Defra

From August farmers in England will be able to apply for payments for 23 actions that support food production and farm productivity while also enhancing the environment, Defra said

The inaugural Future Countryside conference revealed a rural economy struggling to navigate the seemingly irresolvable tensions and intensifying pressures it now faces

The funding forms part of the Farming Innovation Programme aimed at building more environmentally sustainable farming methods

Defra's IT and administrative systems 'at constant risk of failure or cyber attack', according to Public Accounts Committee

Government escalates crackdown on water company sewage dumping in wake of huge losses at last week's local election

Government argues revised plan is designed to complement existing 2019 Clean Air Strategy, but critics accuse Ministers of shifting 'all the political risk on to hard-working councillors'

Forestry England and Natural England announce series of new nature projects to mark King Charles' coronation

Government announces plan to put targets to reduce storm overflows on a legal footing, as MPs block Labour's rival bill for tackling water pollution crisis

National Audit Office becomes latest body to warn of risks to natural environment due to lack of effective oversight for green regulations in England

The ongoing row over the UK's sewage spills looks set to be a major issue for local voters, but there are no quick fixes or easy answers to the crisis