Today we have some important news coming out of the United Kingdom, particularly relevant for those interested in the agricultural sector. Despite certain internal calls to curb immigration, the UK government has pledged to issue 45,000 visas for seasonal workers in agriculture next year.
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BBC reports that after a dip during the pandemic, net migration has been steadily increasing and is projected to reach an all-time high this year. Official numbers on this are anticipated to be released later this month.
Interestingly, at a London conference, Home Secretary Suella Braverman expressed that there’s “no good reason” the UK can’t train its own lorry drivers and fruit pickers to reduce immigration. However, Downing Street has stood by the decision to continue issuing these visas.
A spokesperson for Downing Street clarified that the current rules offer the flexibility to adjust the system based on the UK’s needs and emphasized that the UK has a “historically low” unemployment rate.
This announcement to allocate visas for seasonal workers comes hand-in-hand with a new set of measures designed to bolster the farming industry. Just last February, the government disclosed that over £168 million, or 193 million euros, in grants will be made available to farmers this year to improve the development of new technology and farming innovations.
We hope you found this information helpful. Follow our blogs for the latest updates and informative content on UK immigration.
