Furloughed workers urged to 'Pick for Britain' to make up labour shortfall

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Furloughed workers are being encouraged to 'Pick for Britain' to ensure crops can still be harvested during the pandemic.

Travel restrictions had led to warnings that producers would face labour shortages as many pickers come from overseas.

The team at Wey Street Farm in Faversham have been picking strawberries since last month.

Among the workers is David Wilks who would normally be teaching English in schools in Austria but because of the pandemic found himself out of a job.

Normally the workforce at the farm would be predominantly Eastern European but because of travel restrictions, workers have been recruited from within the UK to make up the labour shortfall. But there is some uncertainty.

The Government says: "The demand for seasonal workers is currently being met, but we know our farmers and growers will need more workers in the coming weeks and months. This is why we are working hard to ensure they have the support they need ahead of this time."

This year's uncertainty, because of the pandemic, was unexpected, but farmers and growers are aware that next year more uncertainty could come following the UK's exit from the European Union.

But the Immigration Minister believes it is an opportunity.

One economics expert believes more UK workers will move into farming out of necessity.