Responding to the Chancellor’s Spending Review, Bowman Bradley, Chair of the Inland Waterways Association Sustainable Boating Group, said:
“We are disappointed that the Government has again overlooked the inland waterways sector in its 2025 Spending Review. Despite our detailed proposals and the sector’s substantial £4.41 billion annual contribution to the economy, the absence of targeted support for sustainable boating is a missed opportunity.
“Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) stands out as a viable, cleaner alternative to diesel, offering up to 90% reduction in carbon emissions and compatibility with existing engines. The fact is that without fiscal incentives or infrastructure investment, its adoption remains limited. This inaction not only stalls our progress towards net zero but also does not help the livelihoods of 133,000 individuals employed within the sector.
“The Government’s apparent failure to invest sensibly undermines its own environmental commitments and neglects the potential of our waterways to lead in sustainable transport.
“Substantial increases in investment in infrastructure were announced, but the missing piece of the puzzle is delivery.”
