Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a seasonal workers visa for the hospitality and tourism sector.

The Points Based System already provides for many occupations within these sectors, including chefs, restaurant managers and hotel managers, subject to the requirements of the system – including English language and salary – being met.

Beyond the Points Based System, there is the existing UK labour market, which includes those who come to the UK through our Youth Mobility Schemes (which we are looking to expand), our British National (Overseas) visa for those from Hong Kong, dependants of those arriving under the expanded Skilled Worker route, as well as over 5.5 million people who have been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Most of the solutions are likely to be driven by industry, with a push towards improving pay and conditions needed, rather than turning to the Home Office for immigration policy changes as an alternative to doing this.

We therefore have no plans to introduce a seasonal worker visa for the hospitality and tourism sector.