A number of new immigration routes that will form part of the UK government’s new points-based system were unveiled when UK Home Office’s Minister for Future Borders and Immigration, Kevin Foster MP, joined a successful NFU Scotland and Home Office webinar on the post-Brexit immigration system.
NFU Scotland has said that from the extensive consultation carried out with its members since the referendum outcome in 2016, it is clear there is a significant number of non-UK citizens working in highly skilled, permanent positions on dairy, arable, livestock, pigs, egg and poultry units, as well as the wider food and drinks processing sector.
As of January 1, the new Skilled Worker route will be the primary channel through which agricultural businesses can recruit international workers into these permanent positions on Scottish farms.
Employers will also be required to become licenced sponsors to bring workers in from overseas. These are major changes with implications for overseas recruitment.
All employers will need to put preparatory measures in place if they plan to recruit from outside the UK after the end of the transition period.
Features of the new system
Speaking at the webinar, the minister outlined the features of the new system and the simplifications that have been made to the sponsorship and visa processes.
Minister Foster was joined by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Scotland Office, David Duguid MP, who discussed the main implications for agricultural businesses in Scotland.
The event was chaired by NFU Scotland’s political affairs manager Clare Slipper who said:
“For farming, food and drink, significant changes on immigration are quickly coming down the track.
It was hugely beneficial to have such a high-profile panel provide guidance to more than 70 members on what measures they should put in place if planning to permanently employ non-UK workers in the future.
“The seminar coincided with the launch of various immigration routes under the UK’s new points-based system, which will come into force on January 1.
“Our members had the opportunity to hear from and question two government ministers whilst familiarising themselves with major changes which will impact upon employment practices across all agricultural sectors as well as the food and drink supply chain.
Given our high-value soft fruit, field vegetable and ornamentals sector, the webinar also provided a platform to restate the importance of a seasonal workforce coming from outside the UK to complement the permanent workforce.
“With the immigration minister in attendance, we were able to impress upon him the vital importance of a prompt decision on a Seasonal Workers Scheme being put in place for 2021 to allow vibrant sectors of our rural economy to plan ahead,” she concluded.
