before of the 12 December general election , the HTA has set out a manifesto outlining the key insurance stem and ‘ asks ’ that are central to developing a secure and vivacious gardening sector .

This includes maintaining memory access to seasonal labour in a post - Brexit world . The UK ornamental gardening industry is reliant on seasonal and full - clock time experient worker from overseas . This needs better recognition within a next in-migration arrangement to ensure the sector can continue to modernize and thrive . The HTA is calling for Ornamental Horticulture to be included in a Seasonal Workers system . The pay threshold for full time experienced workers require to be lowered in any detail - base organisation to well recognize the market charge per unit in ornamental gardening . With the recent sector skills view showing horticulture face up on - going Labour Party shortages , this threaten an overall industry that is contributing over £ 24bn gross domestic product to the UK economy .

Tree planting is one of the spry and gentle way to cede atomic number 6 reduction . The UK tree growing industry is well - placed and stands quick to receive insurance ambitions . However , for this to happen there demand to be a strong degree of certainty created by Government , public and secret body to provide to the full funded plans . This includes proper financial support for capital spending and policy to alleviate the current shortage of labour . glasshouse require this to commit to the significant upscaling and investment in production infrastructure that will need to meet the demand .

James Clark , Director of Policy and Communications at the Horticultural Trades Association ( HTA ) allege : “ In this general election campaign we are prognosticate on all political parties to foster supportive and groundbreaking economic programmes to supercharge our dynamic sphere ’s full potential . We desire to see sustainability and mood change give the high priority it deserve . The garden industry is unambiguously localize to support wider interior wellness and well - being benefits of horticulture and help oneself make a Greener Britain . Not to forget , with 25 chiliad gardeners in the UK - making it arguably the country ’s bounteous spare-time activity - it is a mathematical group of voters that political parties would be foolish to ignore . ”

He sum up , “ In the pronunciamento , we set out three fundamental policy base that matter most to our members ’ and the changes that will make the most positive departure to the UK . We are attached to working in a collaborative , cooperative and co-ordinated glide slope with a future Government on developing these policy marriage offer . ”

The HTA ’s three key insurance themes and specific ‘ asks ’ of Government are :

A competitory , fertile and growing thriftiness that benefits everyone .

Making the best of a post - Brexit world .

Creating a greener Britain .

The full pronunciamento can be viewed on the HTA website : https://hta.org.uk / news / htas - general - election-2019 - manifesto.html