EFFORTS by Tory ministers to improve England’s natural environment are falling “far short” of what is needed, a green watchdog warned today.

Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) chairwoman Dame Glenys Stacey said that there is “little good news to report” in the public body’s latest assessment, with “extremely worrying” trends such as declines in wildlife continuing.

The government is “demonstrably” not on track on any of the targets identified in its 25-year environment plan, which aims to cut air pollution, boost the health of the country’s waterways and help plants and wildlife thrive, the report said.