BALI calls on Government to back landscaping industry and ease barriers ahead of vital Budget announcement

BALI has written to the Chancellor ahead of next month’s Budget, setting out the measures needed to support business growth, unlock investment and strengthen the contribution of landscaping to the UK’s economy, environment and communities.

In the letter, BALI Chief Executive Wayne Grills highlights the significant economic and environmental value of landscaping. The wider environmental horticulture and landscaping industry contributes £38 billion to UK GDP and supports approximately 722,000 jobs, with landscaping services alone contributing £17.9 billion in 2023.

Representing around 1,800 member businesses and more than 950 accredited members, BALI is especially calling on Government to take action to remove barriers holding businesses back and enable the sector to deliver more of the green infrastructure communities need.

Key asks include reducing the burden of National Insurance Contributions, delivering promised late-payment reforms, and ensuring the Growth and Skills Levy is accessible to landscaping businesses. BALI is also calling for planning barriers to be removed, greater recognition of landscaping within Biodiversity Net Gain, and stronger support for local authorities to use landscaping to deliver environmental and community objectives.

Amy Cobbett, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at BALI, said:

“Landscaping is delivering every day for the UK economy, our environment and our communities. Our message to Government is clear: with the right support, our sector can do even more. BALI will continue to make the case for our members and ensure landscaping has a strong voice in the decisions that shape the future of our industry.”

The letter also calls for green spaces to be treated as an active priority from the outset of major housing and infrastructure projects, alongside a long-term water management plan that recognises the role of landscaping and nature-based solutions in tackling flooding, drought and climate impacts.

These priorities come at a time when businesses continue to face significant cost pressures. BALI’s Lay of the Land Report 2026, a member survey, found that almost a quarter of businesses consider energy costs to be very or extremely challenging, alongside concerns around staffing costs, cash flow and rising material prices.

BALI will continue to engage directly with Government to champion the sector and demonstrate the value of landscaping to economic growth, environmental resilience, and the health and wellbeing of communities.

Find out more about BALI's policy work and recent policy news here.