answer text |
<p>We know that the horticulture sector requires a high proportion of seasonal workers.
The Government introduced a new pilot for 2019 and 2020 enabling up to 2,500 non-European
Economic Area migrant workers to come to the UK to undertake seasonal employment in
the edible horticultural sector. As of June 2019, pilot operators had recruited all
2,500 workers who continued to arrive in the following months for the harvesting of
winter vegetables. This pilot is not designed to meet the full labour needs of the
horticultural sector. Rather we are seeking to evaluate the immigration pilot’s ability
to assist in alleviating labour shortages during peak production periods.</p><p> </p><p>Defra
and the Home Office continue to monitor the impact of the seasonal workers pilot and
the workforce pressures faced by farmers as we look at how best to support the longer-term
needs of industry outside the EU.</p><p> </p><p>EU citizens can continue to come to
the UK for work in 2019 and 2020 regardless of whether the UK reaches a deal with
the EU. This includes for seasonal work on farms. EU citizens arriving after we leave
the EU, in a no deal scenario, will need to apply for European Temporary Leave to
Remain, granting a further 36 months in the UK if they want to stay after 31 December
2020, which is the deadline for applying to the scheme.</p><p> </p>
|
|