Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    Twitter LinkedIn
    • FREE Email Newsletters
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
    Twitter LinkedIn
    Podcast
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    • News
      • Arable & Agronomy
      • Dealership News
      • Environmental Land Management Scheme/Policy
      • Event News
      • Health & Safety
      • Machinery
      • People
      • World News
    • Farm Machinery
      • Amenity & Maintenance
      • Cultivations
      • Drilling
      • Grassland Equipment
      • Harvesting
      • Muck & Slurry
      • Sprayers
      • Telehandlers
      • Tractors
      • Tractor of the Year
      • Tyres & Tracks
      • Whatever happened to?
    • Precision Farming
    • Markets & Policy
    • Profiles
      • National Arable and Grassland Awards
      • Company Profiles
      • Reader Profiles
    • Livestock
      • Beef
      • Dairy
      • Sheep
    • Magazines
      1. July 2025 issue
      2. June 2025 issue
      3. Cereals event guide 2025
      4. May 2025 issue
      5. April 2025 issue
      6. March 2025 issue
      7. 2025 Tyre Developments supplement
      8. February 2025 issue
      9. National Arable and Grassland Awards supplement
      10. January 2025 issue
      11. December 2024 issue
      12. November 2024 issue
      13. October 2024 issue
      14. September 2024 issue
      15. August 2024 Issue
      16. 2024 Drills and Seeds supplement
      17. July 2024 Issue
      18. Cereals Supplement
      19. June 2024 Issue
      20. May 2024 Issue
      21. April 2024 Issue
      22. Tyres and Tracks Supplement
      23. March 2024 Issue
      24. National Arable & Grassland Award – Meet the Finalists
      25. February 2024 Issue
      26. January 2024 Issue
      27. December 2023
      28. Agritechnica Preview Supplement
      29. November 2023
      30. October 2023
      Featured

      July 2025 issue available now

      By Matthew TiltJuly 9, 2025
      Recent

      July 2025 issue available now

      July 9, 2025

      Cereals event guide 2025 available now

      June 20, 2025

      June 2025 issue available now

      June 2, 2025
    • Events
    • Podcast
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    Markets & Policy

    45,000 visas for seasonal workers – but is it too late for UK growers?

    Vicky LewisBy Vicky LewisDecember 20, 20223 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email

    The government has confirmed that 45,000 visas will be available for seasonal workers, providing a much-needed boost to the UK’s horticulture industry.

    The allocation will allow businesses to employ overseas workers to come to the UK for up to six months through the Seasonal Worker visa route. The number of available visas, which is being kept under review, is an increase of 15,000 compared to those available at the start of 2022 and has scope to be increased by a further 10,000 if the need arises. The first 4,000 visas will ensure that daffodil growers have a sufficient workforce for harvesting at the start of the year.

    New scheme operators will be appointed to ensure the application and administration of the visa scheme is efficient and they will also focus on safeguarding the welfare of workers. A team of appointed officials will ensure sponsors are abiding by workers’ rights by improving training and processes for compliance inspectors, creating clear policies and guidance to prevent exploitation and ensuring workers are provided with a guaranteed weekly minimum number of paid hours.

    Benefits for farmers will be significant, allowing for support in tackling the labour shortages and rising input costs, with the aim of boosting the British food production industry as a whole.

    Mark Spencer, farming minister, said: “Seasonal labour has long been part of the UK’s rural economy, and while it is right that we offer long-term support to increase the use of domestic labour, we also need to support businesses on the back of what has been a challenging year for food producers.

    “That’s why we’ve listened to the UK’s horticulture sector, and today’s announcement will provide our growers with the labour they need to bring in the harvest and continue to put their produce on our tables.”

    NFU Response

    Responding Defra’s announcement on the scheme, the NFU identified the advantages to UK growers, particularly in tackling the ongoing struggle to find a skilled work force. However, they argue that the initiative has come too late for many farmers, with some reducing production already in the coming season.

    NFU Vice President Tom Bradshaw
    NFU deputy president Tom Bradshaw

    Tom Bradshaw, NFU deputy president, said that the situation will be carefully analysed over the coming months: “Growers have faced a really tough year with soaring energy and fertiliser costs only adding to the pressure caused by significant workforce shortages, which resulted in £60 million of fruit and vegetables being wasted in the first half of 2022 alone.  And we expect the coming 2023 season to be equally challenging.

    “We’ll be closely monitoring the situation this season and given the significant pressure growers are currently under, it’s important that any decision to release the further 10,000 visas is timely and made ahead of the peak season.”

    He continued, saying that to see the government’s food strategy to increase the amount of fruit and veg grown on UK farms achieved, farmers need continuing confidence in the support being given and reassurance that this will be retained: “The NFU will continue to ask for a minimum of a five-year rolling SAW scheme to give growers the confidence to invest in their businesses, and boost Britain’s production of nutritious and affordable fruit and vegetables.”

    Tweet
    Share
    Share
    Pin
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email
    Previous ArticleTrinity Grain becomes Eureka’s 100th client
    Next Article Fliegl’s ‘Big Foot’ offers consumer choice
    Vicky Lewis

    Read Similar Stories

    Tips for those eligible for re-opened SFI 2024

    July 7, 2025

    New round of Capital Grants opens

    July 7, 2025

    Pressure builds to reverse inheritance tax plans

    June 30, 2025
    Most Read Stories

    Versatile dribble bar provides precise application

    July 9, 2025

    Focus on farm safety with new award

    July 9, 2025

    Sheep-dipping business helps fight scab

    July 9, 2025
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer

    The UK's leading agricultural machinery journal

    Twitter LinkedIn
    © 2024 MA Agriculture Ltd, a Mark Allen Group company

    Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy | Terms & Conditions

    • Farmers Weekly
    • AA Farmer
    • Poultry News
    • Pig World

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.