Ahead of this James Clark, Director of Policy and Communications at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) commented: “With the immediate challenges presented by coronavirus we would welcome Government introducing a ‘business tax holiday’ through this very difficult period.

“The British garden retail industry has shown consistent year on year growth for a number of years, but our retailer, grower, landscaper and manufacturer members all need economic certainty as we approach this key time for the garden trade.

"Progress on the EU post transition trade situation, a flexible approach to the labour market incentivising workers to join the industry and a long-overdue review of business rates are much needed. The Government has made some strong pledges around the environment, but specific and direct fiscal support for UK nursery production sector is required to help it grow and meet increasing demand, in a biosecure manner.”