Home Department – in the House of Commons at on 7 July 2025.
Seamus Logan
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Health and Social Care), Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
If she will review the temporary worker visa regulations for the fish processing sector.
Seema Malhotra
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
The seasonal worker route is designed to support the horticulture and poultry sectors, both of which have short-term seasonal production peaks. I discussed these issues with the Scottish Minister during my visit to Peterhead fish market in February. There is not the same evidence of seasonal patterns in the fish processing sector, which would require significant but short-term increases in labour, but I am always happy to discuss these matters with colleagues in the House.
Seamus Logan
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Health and Social Care), Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
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
“We…want to tackle the problems of labour shortages”.—[Official Report,
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?
Seema Malhotra
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
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.
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