POLITICS

Truss in new split with Braverman over migrants

Suella Braverman is set to oppose plans to increase the cap on unskilled seasonal workers who can come to the UK
Suella Braverman is set to oppose plans to increase the cap on unskilled seasonal workers who can come to the UK
JEFF J MITCHELL/GETTY IMAGES

The prime minister is planning to increase the cap on unskilled seasonal workers who can come to the UK by 20,000 per year, The Times has learnt.

The move has opened another split in immigration policy with Suella Braverman, the home secretary, who said this week that she wants to “substantially reduce” the number of unskilled foreign workers coming to the UK. She also said farmers must end “reliance” on foreign workers and replace them with domestic workers and automation.

Currently, farmers can recruit up to 40,000 foreign workers to pick fruit, vegetables and flowers under the seasonal worker visa scheme, an increase from 30,000 in 2021. In the first six months of this year, 26,481 visas had been issued, two thirds of the annual