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Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Seamus Logan (Scottish National Party). It was answered on Monday, 7 July 2025 on behalf of the Home Office.

Temporary Worker Visas: Fish Processing Sector

Question

May I begin by acknowledging the passing of a giant of our movement, Mr Alex Sim from Peterhead, whose funeral is taking place at the moment?

On Wednesday 5 March the Prime Minister told me from the Dispatch Box, in answer to a question about the fishing industry in my constituency:

“We…want to tackle the problems of labour shortages”.

—[Official Report, 5 March 2025; Vol. 763, c. 280.]

However, it is not just a question of fishing. Last week, Moray chamber of commerce told me of hospitality sector business closures, in some cases related to the inability to recruit key staff. Can the Minister tell me what progress has been made in this vital area? She has mentioned discussions with the Scottish Government, but when will we be informed of sector-specific progress ensuring that these industries, which are crying out for help, receive it?

Answer

As the hon. Gentleman will know, we work closely on this issue with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, but we must also focus on addressing the underlying causes of recruitment problems. We recognise the position in which some of our fishing communities find themselves in relation to workforce challenges, but the hon. Gentleman will, I hope, welcome the news that through our new labour market evidence group we will be engaging with devolved Governments in the gathering and sharing of data and evidence on the state of the workforce, on training levels and on participation by all parts of the domestic labour market, so that we have an immigration system that is well informed and works for the whole United Kingdom.

Secondary information

Type
Oral question
Reference
770 c642 
Session
2024-26
Oral question type
1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Staff Fisheries Visas Migrant workers
Link
View this Oral question on hansard.parliament.uk