Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reported shortage of seasonal labour in the ornamental horticulture production industry; and whether they will publish the findings of any such assessment.

Defra is considering the latest data and working with the ornamental horticulture production industry to understand labour demand and supply, including both permanent and seasonal workforce requirements. We will continue to monitor the labour needs of the ornamental horticulture sector and help to ensure that these are met.

In December 2020, a Defra-led review into automation in horticulture was also announced alongside a review of the Seasonal Workers Pilot. The review will report on ways to increase automation in both the edible and ornamental horticulture sectors and meet the Government’s aim of reducing the need for migrant seasonal labour.

The Government has announced that the seasonal worker visa route will be extended to 2024 to allow overseas workers to come to the UK for up to six months to harvest both edible and ornamental crops. 30,000 visas will be available. This will be kept under review with the potential to increase by 10,000 visas if necessary.