Banff and Buchan MP calls for seafood sector to be added to Seasonal Workers Scheme
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David Duguid MP has written to the UK Government calling for the seafood processing sector to be added to the Seasonal Workers Scheme to improve labour availability for Christmas and New Year.
The Banff and Buchan MP welcomed the extension of the scheme, from 45,000 to 55,000, for temporary workers to pick and pack edible and ornamental crops in the UK in 2024.
But Mr Duguid believes the onshore seafood processing sector could also be added to the scheme to provide the industry with the labour it needs to cope with an increase in demand for salmon and sea scallops over Christmas and New Year.
The move would allow processors to recruit foreign workers to come to the UK for up to six months through the Seasonal Worker visa route.
Mr Duguid said: “Having discussed this issue with the industry, it’s clear to me that this would be hugely advantageous to a sector which is often forgotten about when it comes to seasonal work.
“I absolutely welcome the extension of the scheme for the UK’s horticulture sector and firmly believe this would also benefit the fishing industry which requires seasonal labour to allow them to fulfil a huge global demand for our fantastic seafood produce.”
In his letter to Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, Mr Duguid said the visa requirement for the onshore processing sector would be, at most, in the “very low thousands”.
His letter states: “It would be extremely helpful if the Home Office could consider adding to the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS), those onshore processing roles considered to be seasonal in nature.
“For example, as well as there being certain species-specific fishing seasons, the busiest time by far for the processing sector is the run up to Christmas and New Year.
“The increase of SAWS availability from 45,000 to 55,000 for 2024 is very welcome.
“As I have already noted, the requirement for the seafood sector would not run much more than a few hundred, perhaps the very low thousands. Certainly, no more than has been made available for other food production sectors in recent years.
“As agreed, I will work with the processing sector to develop an evidence base to support this approach and help inform a decision by the Home Office.
"As part of this evidence base, I will seek a more precise estimate of the numbers of visas required.”
