Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the future longevity and scope of the Seasonal Worker Scheme will reflect the industry’s needs and future growth potential.

The 2027 annual quota for the Seasonal Worker route was published in the Seasonal Worker sponsor guidance on 8 October. It remains unchanged from 2026 with an allocation of 41,000 for the horticulture sector and 1,900 for the poultry sector in the run up to Christmas.

A 5-year extension to the Seasonal Worker route was announced 25 February 2025. This extension provided farms with the certainty they need to plan and grow their businesses with confidence. The Government has made it clear, however, that recent migration levels are unacceptable, and this isn’t a long-term solution. Overall visa numbers will need to fall over time and businesses will need to adapt.