UK Seasonal Worker Scheme 2026: Visa Numbers Finalised

In a much-anticipated announcement, the UK government has finalised visa allocations for the UK Seasonal Worker Scheme 2026, delivering much-needed certainty to the nation’s horticulture and poultry sectors. The confirmation came after a productive meeting between NFU President Tom Bradshaw, Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle, and industry representatives, signaling renewed government support for British food producers.

The announcement follows a recent visit by Dame Angela Eagle to a soft fruit farm in Kent, where she engaged directly with farmers and National Farmers’ Union (NFU) leaders, including Horticulture and Potatoes Board Chair Martin Emmett. Growers highlighted how crucial the 2026 visa numbers are for ensuring fruit and vegetables make it to supermarket shelves and for maintaining production stability across the country’s agricultural heartlands.

NFU President Tom Bradshaw welcomed the confirmation, saying, “We’re pleased that the Minister has listened and confirmed the SWS 2026 visa allocation. While there has been a small reduction in numbers, we are hopeful it will still be sufficient for the year ahead. Seasonal workers play a vital role in ensuring the nation’s fresh produce and poultry reach consumers, especially during peak seasons like Christmas.”

He added, “Certainty is critical for these sectors, which plan in years, not months. Looking ahead, it’s essential that we have clarity on visa allocations through to 2029. The number of visas needs to remain sufficient to allow our members to continue producing food, plants, and flowers for the nation.”

UK Seasonal Worker Scheme: Five-Year Extension to 2029 Brings Long-Term Confidence

In February 2025, the government confirmed that the UK Seasonal Worker Scheme (SWS) will be extended until the end of 2029—a major relief for the horticulture and poultry industries. The extension allows farmers and growers to make long-term investment decisions, particularly in sectors where planting, cultivation, and harvesting cycles span multiple years.

A key change coming into effect in November 2025 will allow horticulture workers to return to the UK for up to six months within any 10-month period, a shift designed to reduce labour shortages and improve workforce flexibility. This new rule replaces the previous mandatory break between visas, giving both employers and employees greater continuity across different growing seasons.

Visa Numbers Confirmed for 2025 and 2026

Under the government’s current plan:

• 2025 will see 43,000 visas for horticulture and 2,000 for poultry production.

• 2026 will maintain strong support for the horticulture sector, albeit with a modest reduction from the previous year’s potential allocation.

While the slight reduction raised concerns among some growers, the NFU believes the new figures will still provide a workable foundation for next year’s harvest and production plans.

UK Seasonal Worker Scheme: Pay and Accommodation Standards Strengthened

In a move to uphold fair labour practices, new pay regulations will take effect from April 1, 2025. These include a minimum hourly rate of £12.21, aligning with the UK-wide National Living Wage. Accommodation deductions will be capped at £10.66 per day for non-house housing, with clear guidelines on overtime pay to ensure transparent and fair treatment for all workers.

These updates are especially relevant to Scottish farms, where the changes will align closely with UK-wide rules, helping ensure consistent pay and welfare standards across all participating regions.

Addressing Worker Welfare Concerns

Despite progress on visa certainty and wages, advocacy groups such as FLEX and the Worker Support Centre have raised ongoing concerns about exploitation risks within the scheme. Reports of high recruitment fees, limited employer mobility, and inadequate complaint mechanisms remain pressing issues for many migrant workers.

Responding to these concerns, the UK government confirmed it is taking the Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC) recommendations seriously. Efforts are underway to tighten compliance checks, strengthen complaint handling, and improve transparency across recruitment processes.

A new UK smartphone app has been developed specifically for Seasonal Worker Scheme participants, designed to help flag potential problems early and ensure that issues like non-payment, unsafe housing, or mistreatment are addressed swiftly.

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