Defra facing £500m real-terms cut after autumn statement

Exclusive: Critics say cut in day-to-day spending will leave department unable to properly tackle issues such as sewage spills

The government's environment department is facing a 500m real-terms cut after last week's autumn statement, as critics say this will leave it unable to properly tackle issues including sewage spillages.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) oversees all things to do with the environment and agriculture, from farming inspections and nature restoration to cracking down on environmental vandalism including fly-tipping and sewage spills.