Following John Healey MP’s first major speech since becoming Chancellor of the Exchequer, in which he pledged to “draw a line” under rising business costs and put growth at the centre of the Autumn Budget on 28 October, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is calling on him to ensure environmental horticulture is recognised as a sector that can help deliver that growth.

The HTA says stronger support for the sector would boost economic and social resilience, green infrastructure and investment, while warning that its member businesses need immediate relief from rising costs if they are to grow.

The Association welcomed the Chancellor’s recognition that businesses are facing increasing costs from labour, energy, regulation and planning, but says the Autumn Budget must now translate that acknowledgement into practical measures that unlock investment and job creation across sectors, including environmental horticulture.

Fran Barnes, chief executive of the HTA, says:

“The question for this Budget is not simply what the government can give to horticulture. It is what horticulture can deliver for the country if the government creates the conditions for businesses to invest, employ people and grow.

“Environmental horticulture helps cool our towns and cities, manage flood risk, support healthier communities and create places where people want to live, work and invest. Recognising green infrastructure as critical infrastructure is not just good for our sector; it is an investment in economic resilience, public health and long-term growth.

The HTA’s submission calls for action in three key areas:

• Reduce financial and regulatory barriers undermining UK businesses’ ability to invest and grow
• Recognise that improvements to climate resilience, infrastructure, and health and community outcomes boost productivity and growth
• Deliver a UK-EU SPS Agreement with easements as soon as possible