IN WHAT appears to be a U-turn in the UK's newly announced immigration policy, dairy operators, butchers and slaughtermen are amongst the occupations which are now to be included in the new regime's definition of 'skilled'.

Last week’s immigration announcement from the Home Office sparked huge controversy in rural areas of the UK, where employers were led to believe that only high-skilled individuals, fluent in English with a promise of earning over £25,600, would be welcomed into the country.

But today, Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack, released a statement offering his assurance that the parts of rural Scotland struggling to meet labour demands would be taken care of, as the term ‘skilled’ had been redefined to include key agri-food roles.

He claimed: “Under the present system, only degree-level jobs count as skilled. But we want to recognise many more of the jobs our economy depends on – and ensure people with those skills can continue to come to Scotland to work.

“The independent Migration Advisory Committee keeps a detailed list of jobs at a range of levels,” he continued. “It shows which jobs will be included in our new definition of 'skilled' – which is set roughly at the equivalent of Highers.

“In agriculture, they include dairy workers who operate milking machines. As a farmer myself I know just how skilled those jobs are. Butchers and slaughtermen working in abattoirs are also included.

“For all those jobs, and many more, employers will be able to recruit workers from overseas.”

The UK Government webpage detailing the immigration rules for workers was updated on Thursday, February 20 - and now includes a redefinition of 'skilled' workers, recognising certain roles within industries such as agriculture and horticulture, which would allow migrants to qualify under the criteria of RQF3, which is the equivalent to a higher or A-level qualification.

Some of the jobs listed as part of the updated rules include: butcher, slaughterman, agricultural contractor, crofter, farmer and herd manager. 

There is also a section within these updated immigration rules under 'horticultural trades' which covers roles such as grower, horticultural foreman and horticultural technician, which could offer leeway on the issue of the seasonal fruit and veg harvesting workforce, given further clarification from the Home Office. 

Ahead of the changes apparently made on Thursday, NFU Scotland president Andrew McCornick had forcefully flagged his concerns with the immigration proposals: “NFUS does not believe that the UK Government has taken on board the serious concerns of Scotland’s farmers and crofters about the future immigration system, and despite the lowering of the skill and salary thresholds set out in the future Points Based System, the system will be completely unworkable for our industry."

The seasonal agricultural workers pilot scheme to enable non-EU workers to be in the UK for fruit and veg harvesting remains capped at 10,000, despite calls from the industry to increase the figure to 70,000.

“The promise of 10,000 additional seasonal workers coming into the UK whilst free movement is still in operation this year is welcome. However, we must get a commitment from the Home Office now that they will significantly expand the number of permits from 2021 onwards – without the 70,000 workers who come to the UK seasonally we will see fields of soft fruit and vegetables going unpicked and left to rot," said Mr McCornick.

“On permanent positions for overseas workers, the reduction of the proposed salary threshold down from £30,000 to £25,600 is encouraging but it will mean nothing for Scottish agriculture unless the further agricultural and ancillary occupations are added to the Shortage Occupations List, as requested by NFU Scotland."

Mr McCornick went on to show support for First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s recent proposals for a Scottish Visa system to be devolved from the UK’s remit.

“If the UK Government is unwilling to heed the significant concerns of Scottish businesses on labour shortages then we believe there is now a strong case for Scottish-specific migration options of the sort the Scottish Government have recently proposed to at least be considered.”