The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Labour claims ‘crisis’ in lack of reliable workers
farm work: UK Government confirms review of EU migrant workers
British farming faces a “real crisis” due to a shortage of reliable workers, Labour has warned, after the Government confirmed a review of EU migrant workers.
The Home Office is to commission the independent Migration Advisory Committee to “better understand the reliance” the UK economy has on workers from the EU, according to environment minister George Eustice.
But shadow environment secretary Sue Hayman said such a review could take six months to provide recommendations, with action needed now to provide farmers with a “reliable and competent” workforce.
She added the seasonal agricultural workers scheme, which allowed migrants to work on British farms for a certain period of time each year, would be reinstated immediately if Labour was in power.
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee warned earlier this year the UK could not function without foreign labour, adding businesses had struggled to recruit overseas workers following the vote to leave the EU.
Mr Eustice’s remarks came in reply to a written parliamentary question from Ms Hayman asking about the support to the farming sector to mitigate EU workforce shortages.
The Tory minister said: “Employers in the sectors are free to continue to recruit EU workers to meet their labour needs, and we remain closely engaged with the industry to ensure we are informed of their latest intelligence on labour demand.
“The Home Office intends to commission the Migration Advisory Committee to better understand the reliance on EU migrant workers across the economy and consider the UK’s labour market needs.
“In the longer-term, the Government is considering the options for our future immigration system very carefully.
“We are looking to develop a system which works for all, and will ensure that businesses and communities have the opportunity to contribute their views.”
Ms Hayman described the response as “weak”, telling the Press Association: “British farmers don’t need another report with recommendations six months down the line – action is needed now to secure a reliable and competent workforce.
“Failure to act swiftly risks leaving the sector in real crisis and food to rot in the fields.
“This weak answer to my parliamentary question reveals that not only is the Government refusing to budge on the issue of EU seasonal workers, they are also providing no funding or support to farmers to mitigate the impact of their damaging policy.
“Labour calls on the Government to address the concerns of farmers without delay before we have an even bigger crisis on our hands within the next few months.
“A Labour government would allow EU workers employed across farming, fishing and food manufacturing to remain in the UK, and reinstate the seasonal agricultural workers scheme with immediate effect.”