The UK government has unveiled plans to extend the seasonal worker visa scheme for another five years, a move aimed at bolstering the agricultural sector. This initiative is designed to provide farmers with greater assurance regarding the future availability of their workforce, allowing them to continue employing seasonal workers from overseas.
This extension is part of a broader strategy by Environment Secretary Steve Reed to mend relations with the farming community, amid rising concerns regarding the Treasury’s impending inheritance tax on family farms set to take effect next year. The Seasonal Worker Visa extension responds directly to the urgent requests of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), which has been advocating for such measures.
In addition to the visa extension, the government has pledged to implement new requirements for public catering contracts to prioritize British produce. This commitment also includes assurances to safeguard British farmers in any forthcoming trade negotiations.
It is important to note that changes to the visa scheme will not affect overall migration statistics, as seasonal workers are permitted to remain in the UK for a maximum of six months to engage in the harvest of fruits, vegetables, or flowers.
In his inaugural address at the NFU annual conference, Reed emphasized that he would consider his tenure a failure if he did not facilitate an increase in farmers’ profitability. He stated, “The underlying problem is that farmers do not make enough money for the hard work and commitment they put in.” Reed further expressed his commitment to ensuring that farming becomes more viable and profitable, highlighting that this is essential for the long-term food security of the nation.
Upcoming Criticism from NFU President
Looking ahead, NFU President Tom Bradshaw is poised to deliver a critical address at the NFU conference, where he is expected to chastise the government for failing to uphold its promises. He will denounce the government’s new “morally wrong” policy of imposing inheritance tax on farm businesses valued over £1 million, urging ministers to reconsider this decision.
Bradshaw will also express dissatisfaction with the “botched” transition from EU-era subsidy systems that primarily rewarded land usage to a new framework focused on payments for public goods, such as environmental conservation and clean water, inherited from the previous administration.
Additionally, he will highlight the challenges facing the industry, attributing them to poor policy decisions, geopolitical factors, and “unprecedented weather” conditions that have led some sectors to experience their most severe cash flow crises in generations. In a poignant warning, he will note that “many farmers are genuinely worried about how they’ll make it to the end of 2025.”
