In 2018 the UK Government announced that it would run a limited pilot scheme for a seasonal workforce scheme for 2019 and 2020. The Seasonal Workers Pilot Scheme allows recruitment of a limited number of non-EU temporary migrants for specific seasonal roles in the edible horticultural sector. The pilot is managed by the Home Office under the Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Seasonal Work category.
Defra is responsible for setting parameters for the scheme and for selecting the currently two operators. FPC is engaged with Defra and other partners with regard to how the scheme operates and its potential expansion in terms of numbers of migrants and scope beyond edible horticulture. It is vital that the scheme is successful in order for any potential expansion of the current pilot and development of any temporary workforce scheme to be included as part of the UK Government's future Immigration Policy.