Rachel Reeves could axe funding for tackling river pollution and flood defences because of economic woes, campaigners have warned.
The Chancellor’s budget’s accompanying Red Book warned of “significant funding pressures on flood defences and farm schemes of almost £600million in 2024-25”.
This means it is “necessary to review these plans from 2025-26 to ensure they are affordable”.
But James Wallace, CEO of the campaign group River Action, said cutting agricultural budgets would have a “massive detrimental impact on rivers”.
He added: “We desperately need this new Government to support farmers so that we can all have abundant food and water in the future.”
Any cuts would follow a bruising budget for farmers which saw them dealt an inheritance tax blow.
It comes as the environmental watchdog warned that the government is falling short on most of its targets to improve the environment.
The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) assessment showed that out of 43 environmental targets and commitments, nine are largely on track to be achieved, 12 are partially on track and 20 are largely off track.
Two targets could not be assessed on account of insufficient evidence.
Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link said: “Nature’s watchdog has its hackles up and the clock is counting down on the Government’s legal duty to halt wildlife decline.
“There have been real signs across Whitehall that this Government is serious about environmental improvement, but now is the time for action. The Spending Review must dedicate more funds for nature and wildlife-friendly farming, planning reforms must dedicate more space for nature, and agencies across Government need to kick into delivery mode.
“There’s still time for this Parliament to end in a historic celebration of nature recovery, rather than end in court. Hard decisions in the next few months will be make or break for Labour’s environmental promises.”
England is one of the most nature-depleted nations in the world, with just 53% of nature intact.
The OEP’s chair, Glenys Stacey, said: “With each passing month, the window of opportunity to redress environmental harms is closing, while the effort needed and cost to do so increases. This government must act urgently and decisively to catch up if it is to meet its legal obligations.
“Catch up not just by developing plans, but then by fully and effectively implementing them. It has several legally binding commitments only a few years away. The window of opportunity is closing fast.”
