Too few workers

Prime Minister’s Questions on Thursday heard one of the new intake of SNP MPS, Dave Doogan bring forward a vital question regarding the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme.

This scheme allows 10,000 seasonal workers to come from the EU to the UK annually, a figure arrived at in light of Brexit.

Mr Doogan was asking for this figure to be reviewed and raised substantially in light of the fact that in his constituency of Angus itself, 4,000 seasonal agricultural workers are required, with a similar number needed in neighbouring areas. This is a vital issue, not only for the farming industry, food production and local businesses, but the wider economic impact for the country.

So the Prime Minister’s response was of great interest for many sectors and his acknowledgement that this was a very important point was encouraging.

However, Boris Johnson went on to inform the House that the Government has introduced a “points-based immigration system that will allow this country to get the skills it needs”. I am not sure The National Farmers Union of Scotland, which is also calling for a review of the 10,000 figure, would be encouraged by Mr Johnson’s reply.

But we should consider what the Prime Minister conveniently forgot to inform the House in his reply, “at a price”, because this ‘points-based immigration system’ takes earning into consideration and could have a detrimental effect on seasonal agricultural workers, who are generally paid the national minimum wage, which would exclude them from the Agricultural Workers Scheme. CATRIONA C CLARK

Hawthorn Drive Banknock, Falkirk