Rishi Sunak admits fruit picker visas could reach 55,000 next year despite Braverman saying she wants to train up Brits
RISHI Sunak has admitted fruit picker visas could reach 55,000 next year — despite Suella Braverman saying she wants to train up Brits.
The PM insisted the 45,000 currently allocated visas for seasonal agricultural workers — plus another 10,000 top-up if needed — was an “appropriate” number to plug shortages.
Reassuring farmers last night, Mr Sunak said: “I can confirm another 45,000 visas for next year, with the capacity for a top-up of 10,000.
“I know that’s something many of you have asked for and I’m pleased we can deliver that.”
Former Environment Secretary George Eustice even suggested there could be a need for 70,000 in future.
The PM’s announcement will be seen as a slap-down to his Home Secretary.
An adamant Ms Braverman said on Monday there was “no good reason” the UK can’t train its own fruit pickers.
Insiders are tensely awaiting next week’s net migration figures, which could show one million people came to Britain last year — despite Tory promises to cut numbers.
Last night the PM was told he must be unafraid to turn off the “taps” of migration.
Influential Tory MP Sir John Hayes told TalkTV: “You can’t grow your population at the size of several cities in a year without breaking up your country’s economy.
“If we want to become a high-tech, highly-skilled economy, we have to be less labour dependent.”
He added: “It’s not enough to just turn on the tap and just bring people into those jobs — we have to train British people to do those jobs.”