The MAC (Migration Advisory Committee) have launched an inquiry into the seasonal worker visa. They intend to consider all aspects of the seasonal worker visa scheme, including;
- the rules under which the scheme operates
- the size and costs of the scheme
- the potential for exploitation and poor labour market practice
- evidence from international comparisons
- the long-run need for such a scheme
The MAC have stated that they have no fixed view on the merits of the scheme and are reviewing it now as it has been in operation for several years. They wish to actively engage with stakeholders and the devolved administrations in the review.
The MAC have written to the NFU to alert it to the inquiry and to welcome the assistance of the NFU in gathering information for the review. The NFU will respond to the MAC consultation to provide stakeholder evidence.
NFU secures seasonal worker visa ‘reset’ for 2023
The government has updated its seasonal worker scheme guidance which includes a provision to allow returnee workers from 2022 to come back sooner in 2023.
Workers can come back to the UK after five months, rather than waiting the full six months from the end of their 2022 visa. NFU Deputy President Tom Bradshaw explained how the NFU has been “pushing for a visa rest in recognition of the impacts to recruitment that the Ukraine conflict had last season”.
“While this is only a modest change, it is an important one that will help growers this season and add further weight to our discussions over the length of visas within the scheme,” he said.
This update is a further improvement to the scheme, following NFU lobbying which secured a sizeable increase in the number of visas, and the reverting of the inflated SWS wage.
Members are encouraged to speak to their labour provider as soon as possible to ensure their returnees can take advantage of this important update.
Seasonal worker scheme operator has licence removed
The NFU has learned that one of the horticulture seasonal worker scheme operators has had its licence removed and will no longer be able to service its grower clients in 2023.
Wage requirements
During the NFU Conference 2023, Farming Minister Mark Spencer announced the removal of the seasonal worker scheme wage, meaning that workers' pay will revert to the NLW (National Living Wage).
For more information: nfuonline.com