The Canal & River Trust is today announcing an increase in boat licence fees for both private boat owners and boating businesses of 4.85% from 1 April 2026. The rise is based on Bank of England forecasts that inflation will remain at around 3.8% through until April 2026.
Surcharges for boats without a home mooring and wide beam boats, introduced from 2024, will be applied in addition to this rise.
Boaters will be able to use the online calculator on the Trust’s website, available by the end of November, to calculate the licence fee for their boats: licensing.canalrivertrust.org.uk/LicencePrices.
During 2026, the Trust will increase the scope of the Better Boating Plan to tackle more of the tasks that matter most to boaters. This year the focus has included fixing broken paddles, more planned preventative maintenance at locks and movable bridges, and improving grass cutting. In the year ahead this will be expanded with options including an increased focus on addressing lock gate leaks, removing sunken boats, accelerating offside vegetation removal and filling gaps in facility provision.