Written by Charlotte Cunningham
The Government is set to quadruple the number of workers farms can recruit on a temporary basis from outside the EU this year to take up seasonal work. Charlotte Cunningham reports. Environment secretary George Eustice confirmed yesterday (19 Feb) the expansion of the Seasonal Workers Pilot to allow farmers to hire up to 10,000 workers in 2020 – an increase from the previous 2,500 workers. According to the government, this will support the UK’s vital horticulture sector and give fruit and vegetable growers access to a much bigger pool of workers this year to help pick and gather produce. With soft fruit production in the UK continuing to skyrocket – growing by 185% between 1998 and 2018 – the expansion will support these farmers over this year’s busy summer harvest, while allowing government to test the pilot further, it says. Brightest and best The announcement delivers on the commitment set out in the Government manifesto and comes as Home Secretary Priti Patel also set out plans for a new UK points-based immigration system, which will open up the UK to the brightest and the best from around the world, while reasserting control of our borders, she says. Environment secretary George…
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