Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme 2022-01-27
2022-01-27
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The seasonal agricultural workers scheme supports both edible and ornamental horticulture, with currently 30,000 visas available. However, the National Farmers Union of Scotland has warned that millions of pounds-worth of crops may go unharvested due to insufficient visa numbers.
What assessment has been made of the potential effect of winding down the seasonal agricultural workers scheme on the food and drink sector?
We are not winding down the seasonal agricultural workers scheme; in fact, we have now extended it until 2024 and it supports both edible and ornamental horticulture. There are 30,000 visas already available, with the potential to increase that to 40,000 if there is demand.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The National Farmers Union of Scotland has warned that insufficient visa numbers will result in millions of pounds-worth of crops going unharvested, as the government's scheme only allows for 30,000 visas compared to the estimated need of 70,000.
Instead of the 70,000 seasonal agricultural workers needed across the UK, the Government are limiting visas to 30,000, which is less than half of what is required. Will the Secretary of State explain why the UK Government are not providing enough of the visas required?
As the hon. Lady may know, I worked in the soft fruit industry before coming into politics, so I am very familiar with the soft fruit industry in Scotland. It is one of the reasons why the Government have put in place the seasonal workers scheme, and we have had such a scheme since the second world war. Last year, we had a scheme with 30,000 visas, but only just over 25,000 were required. Many settled EU citizens will also continue to return to do seasonal work and we judge that 30,000 is probably the right number.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The MP asked for an explanation regarding why visas are limited to 30,000 when more are needed, but the answer did not provide a specific reason for this limitation.
As The Hon. Lady May Know, I Worked In The Soft Fruit Industry Before Coming Into Politics, So I Am Very Familiar With The Soft Fruit Industry In Scotland.
Response accuracy