Aerated taps and showerheads to be required in new homes under proposed rules The Government hopes the measures can help to unblock stalled developments and contribute to water-saving targets. The Independent UK · Sep 22, 2025
Government may have failed to comply with law over marine target, watchdog says The Office for Environmental Protection said the marine environment in England and Northern Ireland remains in a highly degraded state. Evening Standard · Sep 19, 2025
Bottom trawling to continue in English protected waters, government rules Defra says blanket ban on ‘destructive’ fishing practice disproportionate as MPs urge minister to reconsider The Guardian - UK · Sep 8, 2025
Thousands of farmers facing uncertainty over payments to protect nature Farmers say they ‘feel abandoned’ and have been left in the dark about whether environmental payments will roll over. Evening Standard · Sep 4, 2025
Warning Labour’s rewilding plans could trigger surge in UK wildfires Labour proposes to ban winter burning from over half of England’s peatland The Independent UK · Aug 20, 2025
Lower Thames Crossing first scheme with new environmental approach – minister Other projects could also be made ‘faster’ by a drive to scrap and streamline environmental rules, Steve Reed said. Evening Standard · Aug 17, 2025
Three reasons plastic pollution treaty talks ended in disagreement and deadlock (but not collapse) The latest round of negotiations for a UN global plastics treaty has ended without a deal. After more than three years of talks, deep divisions remain. Agreement is only marginally closer than before talks began. For many countries, campaigners and observer organisations, the outcome is deeply disappointing. The Conversation · Aug 15, 2025
Thames Water says new Abingdon reservoir could cost bill-payers up to £7.5bn Price rise to three times original budget is a blow to government’s reservoir expansion plans The Guardian - UK · Aug 14, 2025
Amazon and eBay must report electronics sold in UK under new recycling rules Foreign companies selling electronics to British shoppers via online platforms like Amazon and eBay will have to start contributing to e-waste costs. The Independent UK · Aug 12, 2025
UK aid cuts will cause untold damage, wildlife charities warn – as they fear for future of key programmes IN FOCUS: Nick Ferris talks to groups around Britain and Africa about the cost-cutting that is already taking place, and the difficult few years ahead The Independent UK · Aug 5, 2025
‘Outwitted’: have water companies managed to sidestep Labour’s bonus ban? Concerns loophole in 2025 act allows payouts at firms that repeatedly pollute England’s waterways with sewage The Guardian - UK · Jul 20, 2025
Four areas of England now in drought as heat threatens wildlife and crops Ministers call for hosepipe bans as East and West Midlands enter drought, joining Yorkshire and north-west The Guardian - UK · Jul 15, 2025
Step up restoration of ancient woodland before it is lost, Forestry England urged Campaigners say just 5.8% of irreplaceable habitat at publicly owned sites has been fully restored in 10 years The Guardian - UK · Jul 11, 2025
Environment Agency insider alleges ‘cover-up’ over sewage sludge on farmland Regulator and government accused of colluding with water industry to dump potentially toxic waste without oversight The Guardian - UK · Jul 9, 2025
The Guardian - UK · Jul 8, 2025 ‘Like fly-tipping’: ministers ignoring pleas to cut sludge fertiliser use Exclusive: Defra warned three years ago of farmland contamination by water firms’ sewage-derived product
Evening Standard · Jul 8, 2025 Water regulator handed largest ever budget to tackle pollution The Environment Agency will receive a cash injection of more than £189 million this financial year of 2025/26.
The Guardian - UK · Jul 7, 2025 ‘A Trojan horse’: how toxic sewage sludge became a threat to the future of British farming Sludge used as fertiliser on farmland contains harmful chemicals that scientists suspect are entering food chain
The Conversation · Jul 7, 2025 Nature-friendly farming budget swells in UK – but cuts elsewhere make recovery fraught Nature in the UK appeared to receive a rare funding boost in the June spending review, with the government setting a spending target of up to £2 billion a year for England’s environmental land management (ELM) scheme by 2028-29.
The Independent UK · Jun 23, 2025 Campaigners call for action on reusable packaging and cutting food waste Experts found that adopting reusable packaging for 30% of goods in UK grocery retail could deliver millions in annual savings for producers.
Evening Standard · Jun 19, 2025 Pollution fines of more than £100m will go to environmental projects, Defra says Concerns had been raised the cash from fines on water companies would not be ringfenced for schemes such as river restoration.
The Guardian - UK · Jun 16, 2025 Labour cutting farming budget in England by £100m a year, figures shows Nature and farmers’ groups cautiously welcome spending review as there were fears Treasury wanted bigger cuts
Evening Standard · Jun 11, 2025 Reeves protects nature-friendly farming budget amid squeeze on environment spend Green groups have welcomed the Government’s decision to protect the nature friendly farming budget but concerns remain on an overall Defra squeeze.
The Guardian - UK · Jun 9, 2025 MPs ask minister if he will claw back Thames Water executive bonuses Chair of troubled firm admits 21 senior managers were paid 50% of base salary on 30 April
Evening Standard · Jun 9, 2025 Government may have failed to comply with law on protecting birds – watchdog The Government has a legal obligation to maintain populations of wild birds and ensure they have enough suitable habitats.
The Conversation · Jun 6, 2025 Mussel power: how an offshore shellfish farm is boosting marine life Over the past 50 years, global aquaculture including fish, mussel and seaweed farms has grown dramatically. Almost half of the world’s wild-caught fish is used to produce fishmeal and oils that feed farmed fish.