The UK Government has set out its Immigration policy post - transition by announcing the introduction of a new points - base in-migration organisation commencing January 2021 .
The system is designed to draw in in high spirits - skilled workers into the UK and to exclude a low - skilled workforce .
The Government ’s overall stance puts the decorative gardening sector in a very precarious billet from January 2021 , concord to the HTA . The industry involve skilled horticulturalists in addition to casual seasonal workers to fulfill its labour requisite in the growing season and to enable industry expansion . Last year ’s review of the Shortage Occupation List disappointingly excluded horticulturalists , despite the industry ask for this to be included having place employment gap for skilled horticulturalists , the swop connexion argue .
Although the Government confirm an step-up in its Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme for 2020 to 10,000 places , cosmetic horticulture is not included . There are no plans to extend the numbers despite evidence showing that the ornamental and edible sectors immix have 70,000 vacancies to fill up during the time of year .
Martin Emmett , HTA Ornamentals Management Committee Chair , expresses his vexation , “ The unveiling of the points establish system will have a meaning impact on our sector . Availability of both skilled and incompetent labour is already restrict the increase of ornamental horticultural job .
“ Our concerns about succeeding labour supply were validated in the Migration Advisory Committee ’s report on the point - based system of rules , write two weeks ago , they highlighted that our sector , along with other key parts of the thriftiness ( let in social care ) , will be affected by labour shortages for skilled worker .
“ The ornamental gardening sphere , along with other sphere , trust on a seasonal workforce for its essential operations . We stand ready to support politics targets on Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree planting , meaning substitution , biosecurity and UK production , but the Government postulate to support the manufacture in how the shortfalls in toil are to be fulfilled in 2021 and beyond . We call on the Government to instantly await at significantly increasing the routine of Seasonal Agriculture Worker Scheme places , reach out this to the ornamental horticulture sector and to also ensure that ornamental and environmental horticulture is added to the Shortage Occupation List .
“ Given that the Government ’s glide slope to biosecurity is aimed at making the country less dependent on plant imports , we are faced with the challenge of producing more plant with less people . We need to explore , with the administration , every potential mechanics to make this bechance . ”
For more informationHorticultural Trades AssociationHorticulture House19 in high spirits StreetThealeReadingWest BerkshireRG7 5AHT : +44 ( 0)118 930 3132Fax : +44 ( 0)118 932 3453NGGV : +44 ( 0)118 930 2092www.the-hta.org.uk
