Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors: sponsor a seasonal worker, published in April 2023, which body is responsible for monitoring whether workers on the horticultural seasonal workers visa are paid for at least 32 hours of work a week at least the national living wage; what enforcement mechanisms are in place in the event that workers are not paid 32 hours a week; and what enforcement has taken place since that guidance was published.

UKVI have implemented a specific seasonal workers team as recommended by the 2022 ICIBI report. They have interviewed an extensive number of migrant workers this year and requested evidence of pay rates from the scheme operators. These visits, often undertaken with GLAA, seek evidence of salary paid to ensure requirements are met. Any breach of Sponsor guidance identified is dealt with as per published Sponsor Guidance.

As such, UKVI can take action against a Sponsor licence when it is identified workers are being incorrectly paid or there is a failure to comply with employment law.

UKVI have inspected and assured the complaints procedures put in place by the operators for workers to report treatment and conditions on farms.

Regular engagement with the licensed scheme operators is in place and UKVI assure that the operators monitor conditions on farms.