Ministers in immigration row over raising cap on seasonal farm labour

The National Farmers’ Union said farms needed more flexibility to recruit from abroad given the uncertainty of the domestic workforce
The National Farmers’ Union said farms needed more flexibility to recruit from abroad given the uncertainty of the domestic workforce
MEDIAWORLDIMAGES/ALAMY

A cabinet rift has opened on immigration after three ministers urged Priti Patel to lift the cap on seasonal workers, The Times has learnt.

Alistair Jack, the Scotland secretary, and George Eustice, the environment secretary, have pushed for the government to increase the annual 30,000 quota of temporary work permits on offer for foreign fruit and vegetable pickers, according to multiple sources.

Government insiders have also said that Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, is in favour of raising the cap to give farmers more flexibility to recruit from abroad if they faced labour gaps. A government source said: “The pool of migrant workers from eastern Europe isn’t being replenished.”

Seasonal workers are particularly important in Scotland, with pickers of soft fruits such as