Truss to allow more foreign workers in to help pick fruit

Short-term expansion of seasonal scheme for horticulture will not give right to remain in UK

THOUSANDS more foreign workers will be given entry into the UK each year to take up temporary agricultural jobs, such as fruit picking, under reforms proposed by Liz Truss today.

The Foreign Secretary and front-runner in the Tory leadership race wants a “short-term expansion” to what is known as the seasonal workers scheme.

The current scheme allows for around 40,000 foreign workers to come to the UK for up to six months each year to work in horticulture. It is due to end in 2024.

Ms Truss wants the scheme’s capacity to be increased by thousands, the sixmonth time limit to be extended and for it to carry on beyond 2024. The Truss campaign is arguing the policy meets the demands of British farmers, who are concerned that there are still gaps in the workforce needed to deal with harvests.

However, critics could question whether Ms Truss should focus more on getting British workers to take up the positions rather than using foreign labour in the short term to fill the gap.

The policy has echoes of moves last year to let more foreign HGV drivers, poultry workers and pork butchers work in the UK amid labour shortages.

Ms Truss has also vowed to remove rules dating back to the UK’S membership of the EU that block the use of drones to spray crops from the air.

Announcing details of her approach to farming, Ms Truss said: “The pandemic and cost of living crisis have shown it is more vital than ever for us to ensure we have a high quality and affordable supply of British food.

“As a former Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Secretary of State, I understand the challenges faced by farmers and they can trust me to deliver the changes they need. I will cut the red tape that is holding them back and hitting their pocket.”

The seasonal workers scheme allows foreign job seekers to get a temporary visa to work in the UK in the horticulture sector for a maximum of six months a year. Such work can include picking fruit, vegetables and flowers. The visas do not give the individual the right to stay permanently in the country given they are time-limited.

The current scheme is already expanding to allow up to 40,000 foreign workers to benefit, a rise from around 30,000.

Ms Truss wants the scheme expanded further, though no number was specified in a press release making the announcement. However, a Truss campaign source believed it would be in the “low thousands” of extra places.

Another change under Ms Truss’s proposals would be to extend the sixmonth time limit amid concern that it is too restrictive given harvest times can vary. No new frame for duration has been given. The scheme would also continue beyond 2024 if Ms Truss becomes prime minister, though again, no new finishing date has been selected.

Rishi Sunak has not promised an increase in the seasonal workers scheme. A press release about his farming

‘I share her vision of a competitive, profitable and sustainable farming sector underpinned by investment’

approach, issued over the weekend, said he would “keep labour requirements in the sector under review, and move ahead with automation in the sector to ease pressures on labour supply”.

The former chancellor also promised to create a new “food security target”, including a statutory duty to monitor and report on domestic food production levels each year.

Ms Truss was the environment secretary between July 2014 and July 2016. It was her first Cabinet position, with the appointment being made by David Cameron, then prime minister.

Meurig Raymond, a former president of the National Farmers’ Union of England and Wales, praised Ms Truss in comments issued by the campaign.

Mr Raymond said: “I have seen, at first hand, her drive, determination and ability to deliver on her promises.

“I share her vision of a competitive, profitable and sustainable farming sector underpinned by investment in the latest technology and innovation, and a proportionate and flexible approach to regulation.”