At British Marine we represent businesses of all sizes, from every sector of the marine industry and from all corners of the UK. We support their continued success through timely engagement with parliamentarians in Westminster and in the devolved parliaments. This, combined with our membership on international bodies such as ICOMIA and our work with wider stakeholders, helps British Marine inform policy proposals and influence government decisions.
Drawing on the experience and expertise of our membership British Marine is able to share industry-led intelligence with parliamentarians, civil servants and other industry bodies to shape proposals and influence legislation and regulatory reform. We provide government with the ‘go to’ point of contact for understanding the UK leisure marine industry and its wider economic contribution. We nurture this relationship but are never shy to turn up the volume when needed to ensure government and industry regulators listen to the needs of our members’ and the issues affecting their businesses.
When one campaign ends, another begins. Much of our success depends on the engagement and support we receive from our members.
Our Public Affairs teams regularly liaises with the Department for Business and Trade, as well British Marine's partners overseas, such as the US National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and the European Boating Industry (EBI). This helps us stay on track with the latest developments and provide advice and insight to our members trading overseas.
To find out more, including please visit our International Trade Hub - click here
In addition to making representations to the Treasury, British Marine urges members to use the template provided to write to their own MPs. Unless the Government rethinks its approach, family run marine businesses with qualifying assets above £1m, will face inheritance tax at 20%.
This unexpected punitive planned tax change has not been subject of a consultation nor an impact assessment. Yet our campaign's latest research (June 2025) shows that, if implemented as planned, the caps on BPR and APR will reduce economic activity by £15 billion and lead to more than 200,000 job losses, resulting in a £1.9 billion tax loss for the Treasury.
British Marine has long been opposed the principle of tourism taxes and will continue to actively campaign against any move to apply such taxes to recreational boating other than in the case of airbnb type boats or floating lodges that are moored permanently in one place for the sole purpose of providing visitor accommodation.
Whilst the marine industry, including marinas and hire boat companies, are not expected to be affected by the Welsh Visitor Levy, British Marine is mindful that Section 40 of the legislation allows for Welsh Ministers to bring forward future regulations should they wish to do so, which, subject to further consultation, could potentially extend the power of the legislation to berths and moorings.
In responding to the Senedd's consultation, British Marine warned of the unfairness and damage that could be caused to our industry if recreational boating - a highly sustainable form of tourism as well as a sport - were to be brought into scope of this legislation.
To read our response to the Bill, submitted in January 2025, please click here.
Our work led to the Conservative Group tabling an amendment in May 2025 that sought to remove Section 40 from the Bill. Regrettably the amendment was rejected by the Labour majority in the Senedd.
Our Public Affairs Team has since written to the Minister reiterating the concerns and seeking assurance that, if the Government were to consider making use of Section 40 it would first consult British Marine Wales.
On 25 March 2025 British Marine had the pleasure of joining other colleagues from the Seabed User and Developer’s to talk to a host of stakeholders and parliamentarians at the Group’s 2025 Parliamentary Reception, kindly sponsored by the Rt Hon Alistair Carmichael MP, Chairman of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee and held inside the Palace of Westminster.
This was a timely opportunity to talk to MPs, not least because the Planning and Infrastructure Bill had just completed its Second Reading before commencing its detailed scrutiny in the Committee Stage. The legislation is relevant to our sector as it proposes to simplify a range of planning practices, including procedures for marine licensing and to grant powers to change fees for harbour orders, considered essential for port construction and marine expansion projects. Collaboration with SUDG partners is important, especially with the increase in offshore wind and DEFRA’s forthcoming Marine Recovery Fund which we understand will provide wind developers with an optional mechanism to finance strategic compensatory measures to support coordinated efforts that protect and enhance marine biodiversity. It may also include the creation or expansion of Marine Protected Areas and targeted habitat restoration.
British Marine’s priority is to work with partners, such as other members of SUDG, and with government to ensure an appropriate balance is maintained between economic development and safeguarding the quality of, and access to, our seas by leisure boaters and other watersports enthusiasts. We were delighted that the Minister for Water and Flooding spared time to address the reception and in doing so referenced the importance of the leisure marine industry to the wider economy.
For further information please contact our Public Affairs lead, Joanna Richardson jrichardson@britishmarine.co.uk
How persistent lobbying saw Brightlingsea Harbour gain £56,000 back in grants plus a large tax rebate. Read here.
If you have concerns about national policies or would like advice from our public affairs team, please email publicaffairs@britishmarine.co.uk
Our specialist team are on hand to run through any regulatory/legislative changes with our members at any time.
We work hard to ensure that the best interests of our members are heard. We can build a case with our members to reflect potential government changes and when we need to, we can bring our industry together, adding weight to our lobbying efforts.
Network with regional and group associations to hear from other likeminded businesses who have used the service or use these sessions to work together collectively to create change.
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