Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department provides any help to find a new sponsor and travel for workers who have applied and been granted entry clearance to the UK on an agricultural Seasonal Worker visa but whose sponsor or Scheme Operator loses their licence before the worker travels to the UK; and whether such workers can claim for payments made for visas and travel.

The Home Office is unable to comment on hypothetical scenarios, each individual case will be considered on its own merits and in accordance with the immigration rules and guidance in place at the time.

As the published guidance states Seasonal Workers are permitted to work for more than one employer and it is the responsibility of the scheme operator to match workers with a suitable employer.

The Scheme Operators are responsible for managing all aspects of the recruitment and placement of workers on UK farms and ensuring their welfare in the UK. This includes ensuring ethical recruitment practices, in line with Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority regulations, and that workers are fully supported throughout their stay.

The Home Office closely monitors the scheme operators to ensure they are complying with their sponsor duties. Non-compliance with the guidance could result in the revocation of their sponsor license.

Seasonal Workers receive the same protections under UK law as resident workers, including employment laws. Such laws are enforced by the relevant regulator.

The Single Enforcement Body, lead by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, is a substantial organisational change and we are making sure all aspects have been considered. The new body requires primary legislation so timing depends on the Parliamentary timetable.