The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) has called on the Chancellor to recognise the economic and environmental importance of the UK’s landscaping sector in its 2025 Autumn Budget Statement, setting out a series of fiscal and policy measures that could unlock billions in growth and help deliver key government priorities.
In its official Budget Submission to the government, BALI highlights the landscaping sector’s substantial contribution to the UK economy, adding £38 billion in GDP and supporting 722,000 jobs, while supporting the creation of sustainable, liveable spaces across the country.
The Association further points out to the Chancellor that landscaping as a sector underpins the £6.6bn GVA garden tourism sector, which is responsible for a huge amount of international tourism. In fact, visiting gardens and parks was found to be the most common activity by international tourists when visiting the UK.
However, the Association warns that escalating costs, skills shortages, and planning barriers are stifling growth and threatening the sector’s ability to deliver on national objectives such as housebuilding, flood resilience, and biodiversity enhancement.
“Our industry is a cornerstone of the UK’s green economy, supporting not only jobs and growth but also the environmental priorities this Government rightly champions,” said BALI’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Amy Cobbett.
“Therefore, this Autumn Budget is critical for many in the landscape industry, with our members grappling with the fiscal decisions made at last year's Budget, including the rise in National Insurance contributions for employers and taxes such as the Landfill Tax. BALI member businesses are ready to deliver many of the Government's priorities, from house building initiatives to education and environmental improvements, but to do so the Chancellor must foster an economy which supports the sector and business growth. This is why BALI is calling for investment into skills, training, and education, and the removal of barriers to growth, including a halt on further tax rises. With the right support, landscaping could be worth over £51bn by 2030, benefitting the UK with healthier communities and high-quality green spaces.”
BALI’s key asks ahead of the Autumn Budget include:
Fiscal support to drive growth
- No increase in National Insurance contributions for employers and workers
- A freeze on Landfill Tax, which has risen by up to 3,000% for some businesses
- Tax exemptions for double-cab pickup trucks essential to landscaping operations
- VAT removal on sunscreen for outdoor workers
- Support business rates reform to support the industry, including reducing rates for garden centres
- Delivery of the UK-EU SPS agreement to ease trade in plants while safeguarding biosecurity
- Stronger late payment penalties and contractual protections for small businesses.
Investment in skills and education
- Increased funding for land-based colleges to expand training and apprenticeships
- A minimum apprenticeship requirement in landscaping contracts linked to housing delivery.
Unlocking the sector’s potential to deliver Government priorities
- Removal of planning barriers which prevent high-quality landscape design and delivery
- Ensuring new housing developments include adequate gardens and well-managed green spaces
- Early engagement of landscaping professionals in planning for biodiversity, water management, and climate resilience
- Stronger support for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) delivery and recognition of biodiverse gardens within scoring frameworks.
BALI emphasises that the landscaping industry is vital to achieving multiple government goals – from building 1.5 million new homes to meeting environmental targets and enhancing national resilience. With strategic investment and fairer regulation, the sector can play a leading role in growing the UK economy while improving people’s quality of life.
