Hundreds of environment agency staff redirected to work on Brexit

Redeployment of 400 staff jeopardises vital work protecting wildlife and overseeing recycling, pollution and flood prevention

Hundreds of staff who protect biodiversity and enforce environmental regulations in the UK have been redeployed to work on Brexit.

The raid on staff from the Environment Agency, which is responsible for enforcing rules on recycling, air pollution and protecting the country from flooding, and Natural England, which protects habitats and species, has been condemned by MPs.