Defra

Government unveils plans for major shake-up of water regulation

Policy

Government unveils plans for major shake-up of water regulation

New Water White Paper sets out fresh plans for how government intends to replace Ofwat with new regulatory body

clock 19 January 2026 • 4 min read
Plans for Oxford-Cambridge Corridor National Forest take step forward

Policy

Plans for Oxford-Cambridge Corridor National Forest take step forward

Government kicks off search for official delivery partners for flagship forest project

clock 13 January 2026 • 3 min read
'Nature is a pre-requisite of prosperity': Can the government turn the tide for England's deteriorating natural world?

Policy

'Nature is a pre-requisite of prosperity': Can the government turn the tide for England's deteriorating natural world?

Government watchdog insists nature recovery 'not a blocker' to UK economic growth, as progress report warns England nature remains off track for many of its biodiversity targets

clock 13 January 2026 • 8 min read
Government warned it risks missing 'critical window' for meeting tree-planting goals

Policy

Government warned it risks missing 'critical window' for meeting tree-planting goals

New analysis warns tree-planting carried out over the next five years will play crucial role in meeting net zero by 2050 targets

clock 12 January 2026 • 5 min read
NAO: 'Complex and outdated' regulations mean just nine of 43 nature targets likely to be met

Biodiversity

NAO: 'Complex and outdated' regulations mean just nine of 43 nature targets likely to be met

Overly cautious culture within Defra, Environment Agency, and Natural England has restricted attempts to embrace new approaches for nature recovery, spending watchdog claims

clock 09 January 2026 • 6 min read
Protecting the environmental foundations of farming isn't separate from profitability - it's essential to it

Policy

Protecting the environmental foundations of farming isn't separate from profitability - it's essential to it

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds speech to the 2026 Oxford Farming Conference

clock 08 January 2026 • 12 min read
Government urged to formally recognise natural capital as 'critical UK infrastructure'

Policy

Government urged to formally recognise natural capital as 'critical UK infrastructure'

Sustainability professionals body ISEP urges government to embed natural capital in UK infrastructure plans, in order to boost economy and strengthen resilience

clock 08 January 2026 • 5 min read
'We will work with you': Defra announces £30m boost for nature-friendly farming scheme

Policy

'We will work with you': Defra announces £30m boost for nature-friendly farming scheme

Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme to be extended by three years, as Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds promises to provide more clarity on long term vision for the sector

clock 07 January 2026 • 4 min read
Farmers voice water supply fears as UK drought continues into December

Climate change

Farmers voice water supply fears as UK drought continues into December

NFU vice president Rachel Hallos says that 'in all my years farming I cannot remember a time when we have been worried about drought in December'

clock 19 December 2025 • 4 min read
Can the UK boost food security when facing falling farming incomes and worsening climate impacts?

Policy

Can the UK boost food security when facing falling farming incomes and worsening climate impacts?

Independent Farming Profitability Review sets out 57 recommendations to the government, including making nature risk reporting mandatory for UK businesses

clock 18 December 2025 • 8 min read