BBC's Chris Packham unleashes fury at Rachel Reeves for ignoring huge Budget problem

Chris Packham slammed Rachel Reeves (Image: BBC)

Chris Packham expressed his disappointment over the lack of discussion about climate in Rachel Reeves' new Budget.

On Wednesday (October 30), the Chancellor unveiled a debut budget plan that includes £40 billion ($51.8 billion) worth of tax rises to plug a hole in the public finances.

Ms Reeves also detailed increases to capital gains tax and private school fees, a freeze on fuel duty and the abolition of the controversial "non-dom" tax regime.

The politician announced a number of changes in the government's budget, however, failed to mention anything about the current climate, leaving Springwatch presenter Packham "extremely disappointed".

Speaking to Times Radio, the 63-year-old said: "Well in fact Rachel Reeves didn't even use the words climate or nature in the whole of the budget which was extremely disappointing given our climate breakdown situation, biodiversity loss.

Rachel Reeves unveiled a budget plan that includes £40 billion worth of tax rises (Image: Getty)

He continued: "But what I would have liked to have seen and I'm sure many others was you know more money going into DEFRA, more money going into those statutory agencies like the Environment Agency and Natural England so that they have the resources to do the work we want them to do."

Packham also called out Ofwat, the body responsible for economic regulation of the privatised water and sewerage industry in England and Wales, claiming it has "failed abominably" in carrying out its duty.

The naturalist declared: "We are all pretty intent that we'd like to see Ofwat torn up and started again. I mean Ofwat has failed abominably in its duty to hold the water companies to account and we also want the laws upheld.

"I think the legislation is in place to punish those companies for pollution and the polluter ought to be paying and that isn't happening at the moment."

Chris Packham also called out Ofwat (Image: BBC)

Calling out the Labour government once again, Packham added: "So there are a number of things that [the] government could do I think relatively easily, well if finding money for DEFRA is easy in a time of you know economic crisis.

"But you know it's a question of priorities isn't it really? And looking after our environment is an investment for all of our futures."

Labour's first Budget in 14 years came shortly after the government announced the decision to scrap winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners.

Now, pensioners who have been stripped of their winter fuel payment plan to cut back on food and water, a poll has revealed. At least 29% of those losing the allowance said they will try to save costs when it comes to bathing or dishwashers.

67% said they would use the heating less and almost one in five said they will visit public places to stay warm, the research for the Independent Age charity found.