30,000 UK Seasonal Worker Visas: Pick for Britain in 2021

Key Highlights:

• Pick for Britain Campaign
• The UK Seasonal Worker Visa Program
• Challenging Harvest Season in 2020
• Increased UK Visa Availability
• Association of Labour Providers
• Extension of Seasonal Worker Visa Program

Pick for Britain campaign will remain. The UK is issuing 30,000 seasonal worker visas in the year 2021.

The government of the United Kingdom has announced that 30,000 seasonal worker visas will be available for EU and non-EU workers to help pick and pack fruits and vegetables in 2021.

The UK Seasonal Worker Visa Program

This program was initially launched in 2019 and continued through 2020. It has now been extended for another 12 months.

Once freedom of movement with the EU countries will end on 1 January 2021, the extension will apply equally to all EU and non-EU countries.

Challenging Harvest Season in 2020

The year 2020 gave a challenging harvest season. Farmers in the UK feared that if the country failed to attract a sufficient number of workers, their fruits and vegetables would be left to rot in the fields. 

Tom Bradshaw, the Vice President of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), said, “It’s a difficult harvest season this year with higher recruitment costs and a higher turnover of staff.”

Increased UK Visa Availability

Amid such a scenario, the government of the UK has increased the availability of migrant workers in 2021.

The availability of UK seasonal workers visas has been tripled in the coming year. With this step, farms can continue to hire foreign workers to come for work for up to six months.

Association of Labour Providers

The Association of Labour Providers (ALP) found that almost 70% of food growers and manufacturers in the new year are expecting to struggle.

David Camp, the chief executive of the ALP, said, “The industry has made a strong case that, where the evidence demonstrates, there should be limited immigration of key workers into essential sectors.”

Extension of Seasonal Worker Visa Program

The positive news is that the seasonal worker visa program has been extended. Shoppers can now enjoy homegrown fresh produce.

The government has sent a clear message that the UK should produce its own fruits and vegetables that has a huge potential to grow. And farmers can employ seasonal workers to pick a variety of fresh produce.