Scottish Government unveils new 5-year plan

The recently elected Scottish Government has published its plan for the new parliament, setting out a number of key priorities which may impact the landscaping sector.

Programme for Government 2026 to 2031 describes the four main ambitions for ministers over the next five years as well as how they will be delivered:

• Eradicating child poverty
• Growing the economy
• Tackling the climate emergency
• Delivering a stronger NHS and public services

These are high-level ambitions rather than sector-specific and detailed policy but there is certainly potential for some to benefit landscapers.

Growing the economy, for instance, includes a focus on attracting investment for home-grown businesses and markets with the greatest potential for growth.

While this approach may target strategic priorities like clean energy and food and drink, the plan also talks about economic growth which reflects the unique circumstances in each part of Scotland.

Further encouraging policies on the economy include helping businesses to start, scale and innovate, connecting people to better work, and building the right infrastructure.

Tackling the climate emergency is another part of the plan which could present an opportunity for landscaping, given the role of our sector in both mitigating and adapting to changing weather patterns.

For example, this ambition includes actions around protecting and restoring nature and securing green jobs and investment, such as maximising opportunities for nature restoration in infrastructure development.

Be it economic or climate policy, the landscaping sector will have to champion its own role with the Scottish Government in coming months and years, something on which the BALI policy team will endeavour to lead.