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

The gutting of the budget for the UK government's already "hollowed-out" environment department has left in doubt key functions including flood protection, pollution, food production, farming and animal welfare, a committee of MPs has found.

Funding for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is to be cut by 15% over the next four years. This comes on top of much deeper cuts - of about a quarter of its budget - under the previous coalition government.