Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Worker Visas: Rural Businesses

Monday 23 March 2026 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Seamus Logan asked about discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the impact of worker visa changes on rural businesses.
  • The Home Secretary stated that immigration is not a sustainable solution for rural economic challenges and the government aims to control migration across the UK.
  • The Government agreed to extend the sheep shearing visa for one year in response to pressure from NFU Scotland.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Seamus Logan SNP Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
Immigration Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Discussions were held to address the impact of changes to worker visas on rural economies, particularly focusing on the contribution of rural businesses.

Question

What discussions have been had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs regarding the potential impact of changes to worker visas on businesses in rural economies?

Answer from Mike Tapp

We value the contribution that rural businesses make, and our immigration system takes account of their needs. Immigration is not a sustainable solution to the challenges facing our rural economies, and we are committed to controlling migration across the whole UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details about discussions or plans related to visa changes were not provided

How: Immigration Is Not A Sustainable Solution, We Are Committed To Controlling Migration

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Q2 Seamus Logan SNP Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
Immigration Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Following pressure from NFU Scotland, the government extended the sheep shearing visa for one year. The question arises if this extension can be made longer-term or transferred to Scottish Parliament.

Question

Sheep shearing may not be on the Home Secretary's bucket list, but in another U-turn, following pressure from NFU Scotland, the Government have apparently listened to the farming industry and agreed to a sheep shearing visa extension for one year. The Home Secretary is looking a little sheepish in her place, so in order to avoid being accused of woolly thinking, if she cannot commit to a longer-term extension for the farming sector, will she transfer powers to the Scottish Parliament so that farmers, fishers, and the hospitality and care sectors can deal with their labour shortages?

Answer from Mike Tapp

I think that was a close shave for really poor humour. The sector has been supported for 14 years to enable it to train up UK workers, reduce reliance on migrant labour and provide a sustained workforce within the United Kingdom. We have extended the immigration concession for sheep shearers to cover this shearing season, but after this final extension, we expect the sector to complete its transition to using domestic labour.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Long-term visa extension or power transfer was not committed to

How: We Have Extended The Immigration Concession For Sheep Shearers, Expect The Sector To Complete Its Transition To Using Domestic Labour

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