Britain will open borders to 45,000 foreign fruit pickers despite millions of Brits claiming out of work benefits

BRITAIN will throw open its borders to 45,000 foreign flower and fruit pickers next year – despite more than five million Brits claiming out of work benefits.

The first 4,000 short term seasonal work visas will be granted next month for daffodil pickers to harvest the springtime bundles in February.

Growers warned that without the influx of migrant workers there would be a major shortage in florists and supermarkets this year.

Short term Seasonal Agricultural Workers do not meet the definition of a long term migrant and are not included in net migration figures.

But 15,000 extra temporary work passes will be granted next year than in 2022.

When the Seasonal Worker scheme was launched in March 2019 it initially had a quota of 2,500 places per year.

Ministers insist the uplift will provide certainty for farmers, despite record numbers out of work.

Analysis of jobs and benefits figures by the Spectator magazine puts the true out of work claimant figure at 5.3 million.

Farming Minister Mark Spencer said: “Seasonal labour has long been part of the UK’s rural economy, and while it is right that we offer long term support to increase the use of domestic labour, we also need to support businesses on the back of what has been a challenging year for food producers.

“That’s why we’ve listened to the UK’s horticulture sector, and today’s announcement will provide our growers with the labour they need to bring in the harvest and continue to put their produce on our tables.”

But one senior Tory MP hit out last night: “So much for taking back control.”