CAMPAIGNERS have slammed the government’s failure to restore funding to the environment department despite promises to clean up Britain’s waterways. 

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has faced a series of budget cuts under the previous Tory government, including a 45 per cent real-tserm reduction between 2009/10 and 2018/19, according to an analysis by The Guardian.

Labour has pledged to clean up Britain’s waters and crack down on sewage dumping after spills more than doubled last year.

But on Wednesday, it revealed that the department’s funding will face a real-terms cut of 1.9 per cent in its day-to-day spending, although its capital budget, which it invests in infrastructure will increase by 12.6 per cent.

River Action CEO James Wallace called the move “potentially disastrous” for the government’s reputation just when it was showing signs of leadership after announcing the introduction of a water commission. 

He warned that without significant additional funding, key agencies like the Environment Agency will lack the resources needed to combat pollution from water companies and intensive agriculture.

“They are up against the privatised water industry, international food and farming corporations and the might of global infrastructure investors,” he said.

“They need to be able to match the financial and legal resources of these polluters to have any chance of delivering on a critical election promise to clean up the UK’s rivers, lakes and seas.” 

On Sunday, more than 130 groups will assemble in London for the March for Clean Water to demand the government take action.