National Audit Office: Overview of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs 2024-25

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs' (Defra's) vision is to make the air purer, the water cleaner, the land greener and food more sustainable. It aims to restore and enhance the environment for the next generation, leaving it in a better state than we found it.

Following the change in government in July 2024, Defra introduced five new priority outcomes to support delivery of its vision over this Parliament:

1. Clean up Britain's rivers, lakes and seas
2. Create a roadmap to a circular economy
3. Support farmers to boost food security
4. Ensure nature's recovery
5. Improve our nation's resilience to the dangers of flooding

Defra spent £5.52 billion in 2024-25, the majority of which was spent through its arm's-length bodies and executive agencies. This represented a £2.55 billion (32%) reduction in the amount spent in 2023-24, which was £8.07 billion.