Asked by: Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the recent addition of fishing occupations to the skilled worker visa shortage occupation list on the fishing industry; and what plans they have to ensure that that industry has an adequately skilled workforce.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The addition of two fishing occupations to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) is part of the Government’s comprehensive package to support fishing businesses make use of the Skilled Worker visa. These occupations will benefit from dispensations from the immigration system, including lower salary thresholds and visa fees. Given the occupations were only added to the SOL on 7 August, it is too early to assess uptake of the offer. The Government has also awarded £1.1 million under the UK Seafood Fund to help skill up and train workers in the UK seafood sector.