Defra hit by largest budget cuts of any UK government department, analysis shows

RSPB and Wildlife Trusts economists say cuts to environment department equal 57% in real terms over course of two parliaments

The UK's environment department is facing the largest cuts to its resources budget of any government department since 2009, according to an analysis by two of the country's largest wildlife charities.

The Treasury and the departments for the environment, transport and local government and communities have agreed to average annual cuts of 8% in their operating costs, a total of 30% over the next four years, the chancellor, George Osborne, announced on Monday.