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Written question asked by Chris Law (Scottish National Party) on Monday, 3 November 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 5 November 2025. It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Friday, 7 November 2025 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Agriculture: Seasonal Workers

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of implementing an employer pays principle to help tackle (a) debt bondage and (b) labour exploitation of workers on the Seasonal Worker visa.

Answer

Together with the Seasonal Worker Scheme Taskforce, Defra jointly funded an independent investigation into the feasibility of applying the ‘employer pays principle’ to the horticulture sector, to understand how financial risks faced by workers can be mitigated.

The Government has considered the findings of the report but has no plans to mandate implementation of the employer pays principle in the horticulture sector. Welfare protections are already in place through the licensing and inspection processes provided by the Home Office and its agencies: the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and UK Visas and Immigration.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
87348
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Agriculture Visas Seasonal workers Exploitation
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk