Skip to main content
Site logo

Main navigation

  • Home
  • My Plan
  • News
  • About Helen
  • In Parliament
  • Newsletters
  • Contact
Site logo

Kent farmers to get share of new 30,000 seasonal worker scheme

  • Tweet
Wednesday, 23 December, 2020
Helen with pear tree

The number of workers allowed to travel to the UK to pick and package fruit and veg will be increased for next year’s harvest.

’m pleased the Seasonal Workers Pilot, originally launched in 2019, has been extended and expanded for an additional year with 30,000 visas available for people wanting to come and work on UK farms for a period of up to six months.

Farmers need a large number of seasonal workers every year to help bring in the harvest, and this announcement is a step in the right direction. I have raised concerned from fruit growers in Kent with Ministers, and I’m pleased to see an agreement has been reached on this.

I was also pleased to see the Secretary of State’s announcement included a commitment to redouble efforts to recruit British workers.

I’ve written to the Secretary of State to call for this higher limit to be put in place as soon as possible and asking for Kent’s farmers to be given their share of the increased quota.

The past 12 months have shown more than any year in recent history, the importance of having a reliable food supply. Thank you to all our farmers for helping to keep our supermarkets and shops stocked during the pandemic.

  • Articles

You may also be interested in

Helen at nature reserve

A greener and cleaner place to live

We have some beautiful countryside in Faversham and Mid Kent, from the rolling North Downs to the marshes around Faversham.

I will always stand up for Kent’s farmers, and work with all of our local land managers in helping to create an environment where nature can thrive.

Helen with Southern Water CEO

We need to take water capacity seriously

Tuesday, 9 August, 2022

One of the concerns I hear most from people about new housing is the impact on local infrastructure – from roads to drainage.

I know from the emails and letters I receive just how much local residents want to see water quality improved and an end to localised flooding.

Show only

  • Articles
  • Local News
  • Westminster News

Helen Whately Member of Parliament for Faversham and Mid Kent

Footer

  • About RSS
  • Accessibility
  • Cookies
  • Privacy
  • About Helen
  • In Parliament
Promoted by Andrew Kennedy on behalf of Helen Whately, both at Suite 3, Paddock Wood Business Centre, Commercial Road, Paddock Wood, Kent TN12 6EN.
Copyright 2022 Helen Whately Member of Parliament for Faversham and Mid Kent . All rights reserved.
Powered by Bluetree