Exclusive from @oliver_wright Dartmoor ponies could be subject to mass culling to reduce the impact on biodiversity after a controversial ruling by the government’s environmental quango Natural England has demanded that all livestock grazing on the moor is reduced by about 75 per cent to protect other habitats, plants and species The move looks set to result in the culling of up to nine in ten of the semi-wild ponies as farmers prioritise their own cattle and sheep to remain within Natural England’s limit to minimise the impact on their own livelihoods Natural England argued that the move was necessary to protect the diversity of Dartmoor, which is a designated site of special scientific interest However, the plan goes against a government commissioned review into the future of Dartmoor, published two years ago, which concluded that Natural England “should not take actions likely to result in a reduction in pony numbers”, adding they were “invaluable for conservation grazing” The move has led to claims that the quango is acting as judge, jury and executioner of the ponies — a species which is itself seen as endangered Dartmoor ponies could be put to death under biodiversity plans thetimes.com/article/ba529f3…

This is wild. theaustralian.com.au/busines…

🚨 Has pasta really gone up 50% from 36p to 53p? 🛒 @ONS is average of 7 supermarkets: 📉 If you go to Tesco, Sainsbury, Asda, the price has *barely changed* 📈 Morrisons, Iceland & Waitrose have all removed their value tier, pulling up the average - e.g. M Savers WAS 30p

On a serious note, government will clearly hope this is a blip. They knew radical reform would prove controversial and even unpopular early on But if next year and the year after they can prove economic growth is rebounding, voters will return