Growers in the UK are concerned that proposals around future foreign labour requirements will hinder the future expansion of the ornamental horticulture sector .
HTA has responded to the Migratory Advisory Committee ( MAC ) call for evidence on Salary Threshold and Points - Based System Commission . The MAC proposed that a £ 30,000 salary limen is maintained for full time workers coming to puzzle out in the UK from afield . The adoption of an Australian style points - found system would see applicant score on component such as breeding levels and language acquirement .
In its reply HTA have say that the propose earnings threshold of £ 30,000 for full time employees from overseas is too high and will veto many skilled and experienced worker from joining the UK horticultural workforce . HTA has called for the MAC to survey the Shortage Occupation List , as currently gardening is not included as an exemption . Supervisory and technical roles are the hardest to fill in the orbit of flora production , so a wider approach is needed so that work experience and adopt knowledge is agnize alongside any stately qualifications .
The recently published 2019Ornamental Horticulture Skills Surveyhighlights that the sector is confront a critical skills challenge with the ability to find staff with the proper skills and qualification being the most ordinarily reported issue . This place is coif to be aggravate further with the proposals in their current course .
As part of the response , HTA have spotlight how the gardening diligence has a desire to expand , peculiarly in the area of signification substitution . admittance to labour is a cardinal part of this strategy which is testify to be a roadblock to enlargement and this is where Government help is call for in rescript to guarantee labour from abroad .
point out on the response Martin Emmett , Chair of the HTA Ornamentals Committee said , “ Labour shortages of both seasonal and full - time doer are a fundamental concern for the horticulture industry , particularly at a sentence when there is a need and desire for expansion . Access to a skilled and experient labour force is critical and this is why the proposed salary threshold needs to be lowered so that knowledgeable and skilled prole from overseas can continue to bestow to UK gardening . ”
He adds , “ The decorative horticulture sphere make a significant contribution to the UK economy with ornamental plants deserving £ 1.35 billion bring forth and sold in the UK during 2017 . significantly , it also contributes to the environment helping to mitigate the causes of climate change . The growth of the sector is dependent on having a sufficient manpower to admit for its expansion to enable these across-the-board welfare to be fully realised . ”
For more informationHorticultural Trades AssociationHorticulture House19 High StreetThealeReadingWest BerkshireRG7 5AHT : +44 ( 0)118 930 3132Fax : +44 ( 0)118 932 3453NGGV : +44 ( 0)118 930 2092www.the-hta.org.uk
