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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to increase staffing levels in abattoirs.

The Government is very aware of the specific challenges faced by the pig processing sector in recent months. In the autumn of 2021, the Government announced a package of measures to support the pig industry. These measures came in recognition of the unique, temporary circumstances farmers faced as the global economy responded to the impacts of the pandemic and the global pressures facing supply chains worldwide.

Between November 2021 and 31 December 2021 applications were open for up to 800 pig butchers who were permitted to travel to the UK on visas that last for six months from the date granted. These visas were an exceptional and temporary adjustment to existing visa arrangements, augmenting the butchers already eligible since January 2021 to apply through the Skilled Worker Route as part of the points-based immigration system.

Additional concessions have been announced by Home Office for temporary workers of Ukrainian nationality, who can remain in the UK until 31 December 2022 and may also apply for a skilled worker visa while in the UK.

Temporary visas are not a long-term solution to workforce needs and businesses must make investments in the UK domestic workforce to build a high-wage, high-skill economy, instead of relying on overseas labour.   The Government expects the pork sector to encourage better training offers, career options and wage increases to ensure that the sector draws on the large domestic labour pool in the UK, as well as investing in technology across the industry.

Since January 2021, the Skilled Worker visa route has also been open to all nationals who wish to come to the UK for the purpose of working in a skilled role – including those in butchery. Further, food and farming businesses can continue to rely on EU nationals living in the UK with settled or pre-settled status. Over 5.5 million EU citizens and their families have been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Defra continues to work closely with industry and other Government departments to understand labour supply and demand, including both permanent and seasonal workforce requirements, and to ensure there is a long-term strategy for the food and farming workforce.