The UK’s environmental horticulture industry could be worth more than £51bn to the country’s economy by 2030, according to new reports.

The reports, published by the Environmental Horticulture Group and Oxford Economics, predict a 45% growth opportunity for the industry – with adequate government support. Oxford Economics’ research found that the sector, including UK gardens, landscaping, and arboriculture, contributed £38 billion to GDP and supported 722,000 jobs in the past year. Defra Minister Daniel Zeichner welcomed the launch of the reports at a parliamentary reception last week, attended by over 140 MPs, Peers and industry figures, including the NFU. NFU horticulture and potatoes senior policy specialist Christine McDowell said: “We welcome this report, which very clearly sets out the significant opportunities for the sector and the NFU was pleased to have been a contributor. “The economic, social and environmental benefits plants and trees can deliver for, across the political sphere. The government now has the business case to unlock the growth potential for many within of the horticultural sector. “We look forward to working with government departments on the green growth many grower businesses have ambitions to achieve.”

The reports found that:

• Urban green spaces provided pollution reduction and cooling effects valued at £27.4 billion in 2021 while helping avoid £800.5 million in health-related costs.
• Urban vegetation helped the UK avoid £800.5 million in health-related costs.
• In 2023, public parks, gardens, and green spaces attracted £4.2 billion in tourism spending while also proving essential for public health.
• UK households spent around £13.2 billion on garden goods and £5.8 billion on professional gardening and landscaping services in 2023.

In particular, the contributions to biodiversity, air quality and urban resilience underscore the sector’s role in advancing the UK’s net zero goals. The EHG also published its Mission Green Growth’, strategy that underscores the sector’s importance and calls for collaboration between government, industry, and communities to unlock its full potential. Chair of the EHG Boyd Douglas-Davis said the sector was already a hugely positive economic and environmental contributor to the UK, but could be worth so much more with greater government support. “The time is now if we are to make the most of the next decade of growth opportunities and work with government to create a greener, happier, more environmentally sustainable society and economy.” Baroness Fookes, co-chair of the APPG Gardening and Horticulture Group and sponsor of the parliamentary reception said she hoped the high turnout of MPs “is a sign that there is, at long last, recognition of the vital role environmental horticulture plays not only in the wellbeing of so many individuals but also in preserving our environment and mitigating the worst aspects of climate change”.

Today the Government will start its three-year programme of bringing all of the UK’s passenger train services back under public control. First to change will be South Western Railways, which will transfer into public ownership next year. The transition to a publicly-owned railway will improve reliability, says the Government, and will support economic growth by encouraging more people to use the railway. It’s also claimed that the change will also clamp down on levels of delays, cancellations and waste, and will save up to £150m a year. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “For too long, the British public has had to put up with rail services that simply don’t work. A complex system of private train operators has too often failed its users. “Starting with journeys on South Western Railways, we’re switching tracks by bringing services back under public control to create a reliable rail network that puts customers first.”

Leeds-based start-up businesses will be empowered to boost their strategies to enter new markets, achieve growth, and build long-term sustainability, through a new partnership between Leeds Beckett University, the University of Leeds, L Marks and Leeds City Council. The project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. The Leeds Go-to-Market Launchpad aims to support 30 start-ups based in Leeds by assisting them in refining their go-to-market strategies through strategic and tactical guidance to effectively target and engage corporate customers and partners. It is free to take part – start-ups or anyone with a minimum viable product can apply for a place via the L Marks website before the closing date of Monday 9 December. The programme consists of three elements: 1-Day Bootcamp at Nexus: On Tuesday 21 January, startups will participate in practical sessions, supported by innovation specialists L Marks. This bootcamp will focus on solution design and market entry strategies, addressing critical aspects such as identifying target customers, formulating engagement approaches, and demonstrating value. 8-Week Accelerator at The Knowledge Exchange: Selected startups will take part in an in-depth learn-by-doing course by the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Knowledge Exchange at Leeds Business School, Leeds Beckett University, between 30 January and 20 March. Led by Professor Lebene Soga, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Management Practice at Leeds Business School, the accelerator includes eight workshops and mentoring sessions from Leeds Beckett experts. It will build on the progress made in the bootcamp, equipping start-ups with the skills, knowledge, tools and frameworks needed to validate their products and grow the business through customer acquisition. Corporate Engagement: L Marks will draw on its extensive corporate network to assist selected startups in corporate engagement, alongside the accelerator programme. This includes a roundtable with decision-makers from innovative organisations who will share strategic and tactical insights on collaborating with other businesses. Professor Lebene Soga said: “We are delighted to be a partner in the Leeds Go-to-Market Launchpad where we will share our extensive expertise in supporting start-up businesses and SMEs to growth, increase productivity, and achieve long-term sustainability. “Through our accelerator programme, we will ensure that start-ups effectively embed the knowledge gained during the bootcamp, and tailor this to their individual businesses. “By welcoming start-ups into The Knowledge Exchange here at Leeds Beckett, we hope this will open the doors to the University for them, where they can access further business support programmes to help them innovate and thrive.” Daniel Saunders, CEO of L Marks, said: “With Leeds quickly gaining recognition as one of the UK’s most dynamic cities for startups, we are delighted to partner with Leeds Beckett University, the University of Leeds, and Leeds City Council to create the Leeds Go-to-Market Launchpad. “The city’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, coupled with a rich talent pool, has already positioned it as a leader in tech and digital sectors. This initiative will provide local businesses with hands-on support, solution guidance, and corporate connections to help refine their market strategies, scale effectively, and unlock new growth opportunities. “At L Marks, we have seen first-hand how entrepreneurship and innovation drive economic growth. Through the Leeds Go-to-Market Launchpad, we will enhance the startups’ commercial readiness enabling job creation, attracting investment, and fostering a more resilient and diversified local economy – further strengthening Leeds’s position as a hub for innovation and business growth.”

Doncaster-based Keepmoat is one of a trio of businesses partnering with a Merseyside college to launch a plastering training academy. Keepmoat is working with Sterling Plastering and Hugh Baird College to launch a bespoke training academy that will support young people into plastering apprenticeships, bolstering its commitment to bridge the nationwide construction skills gap. It’s anticipated that 225,000 new construction workers are needed by 2027 in the UK, and this week the Government also announced that 5,000 more construction apprenticeship places will be made available every year through DoE funding. The SPL Change Academy will offer Level 1 and Level 2 NVQ plastering courses, supported by tutors from Hugh Baird College. Peter Barlow, Keepmoat’s North West Regional MD, said: “It’s been brilliant to support the launch of the SPL Change Academy by providing a mock timber frame house. “The Keepmoat team has also created a traditional working environment of closed rooms, where the students will carry out their training, in place of small open bays. The team is also set to deliver a series of site skills-focused employability sessions, in order to help bridge the gap between college and site work.” Chris Cox, MD at Sterling Plastering adds: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with like-minded and local businesses to create our newly built 6,000 square foot warehouse-style unit to upskill young people across Merseyside to help guide future professionals in the trade.”