Fruit-picking robots could slash the need for migrant labour, Rishi Sunak to tell farmers as he unveils £220 million fund for new technology

By JASON GROVES POLITICAL EDITOR

PUBLISHED: 19 February 2024 

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Fruit-picking robots could slash the need for migrant labour, Rishi Sunak will tell farmers today.

Addressing the National Farmers' Union conference, the Prime Minister will unveil a £220 million fund to help deploy new technology to help boost productivity in the agriculture sector.

A government source said the cash could include money for robots and drones to help pick crops like apples and asparagus.

'We want to ensure farmers can access new equipment, including kit which increases automation to reduce reliance on overseas workers,' the source said.

The £220 million 'future focused technology fund' is part of a wider package of farm grants which will be worth around £427 million this year.

The PM will pledge to 'never take our food security for granted' and tells farmers that the government is 'by their side'.

His speech comes in the wake of polling which found Labour had narrowly overtaken the Tories among countryside voters, who also felt neither main party understood rural communities.

Farmers have been dealing with the impacts of soaring costs of inputs including fuel and fertiliser since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, along with the move to a new post-Brexit regime of farming payments that focus on sustainable agriculture.

Mr Sunak is thought to be the first prime minister to address the NFU conference since Gordon Brown. His enthusiasm for winning back the rural vote was underlined yesterday when it emerged that he had moved the weekly Cabinet meeting from its usual Tuesday morning slot in order to attend today's event in Birmingham.

Last year the Government was represented by the then environment secretary Therese Coffey who was heckled by farmers after arguing that shortages of some items on supermarket shelves were not a sign of 'market failure'.

In his speech today, the PM will acknowledge that farmers have faced a turbulent period, with soaring energy and fertiliser prices coming on top of the departure from the EU's common agricultural system.

'While the importance of farmers will never change - farming is going through its biggest change in a generation,' he will say. 'And as farmers do so, this government will be by their side.'

He will add: 'While thanks to you we enjoy good quality food all year round, global events - including Russia's invasion of Ukraine - have put food security back at the top of the agenda.

'We'll never take our food security for granted.'

Up to 55,000 migrant workers were issued with temporary visas to work in agricultural last year, many of them in the crop-picking and food processing sectors.

Ministers believe that technology could reduce the need for migrant labour over time, helping to cut overall immigration levels.

Some firms have developed drones that can pick crops like apples, but a government source said take-up had been slow, with only the largest farms able to make it pay.

A government study found that so-called 'autonomous selective harvesting' could produce 'high labour savings', but warned it was unlikely to be available on a commercial basis until at least 2030 without government support.

Lord Cameron calls for ‘stop to the fighting right now’ in Gaza

UK Foreign Secretary said the violence should halt ‘straight away’.



PA WIRE
DAVID HUGHES

Lord Cameron has called for “a stop to the fighting right now” in Gaza rather than an all-out Israeli offensive in Rafah.

The Foreign Secretary said the violence should halt “straight away” after a member of Benjamin Netanyahu’s war cabinet threatened to invade the city unless hostages held by Hamas are freed by Ramadan.

The UK Government has resisted supporting calls for an immediate ceasefire, instead backing a “sustainable” cessation of hostilities, but international pressure has mounted on Israel amid concerns over an incursion in Rafah.

The Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip has been the major lifeline to get essential aid in for starving Palestinians.
Speaking to reporters on a visit to Stanley in the Falkland Islands, Lord Cameron said: “We are calling for a stop to the fighting right now, we think that what we need is a pause in the fighting and the hostages to come out and aid to go in. That should happen straight away.

“Then what we need to do is turn that pause into a permanent, sustainable ceasefire.

“Lots of things will have to happen in order for that to be the case and for fighting not to resume. We are going to have to see Hamas leaders leave Gaza, we are going to have to see the machinery of terrorism taken down, we are going to have to see a proper horizon for the Palestinian people, a new Palestinian government.

“But let’s make that happen, let’s have the stop to the fighting now, have that hostage release and then build on it from here. That’s what we need to happen rather than an offensive in Rafah.”

As ceasefire negotiations struggle after signs of progress in recent weeks, Israeli Prime Minister Mr Netanyahu has brushed off growing calls to halt the military offensive in Gaza and vowed to “finish the job”.

The US, Israel’s top ally, says it still hopes to broker a ceasefire and hostage-release agreement, and envisions a wider resolution of the war sparked by Hamas’s October 7 attack in southern Israel.

The UK has tried to derail UN plans for a fair tax system. So, 22 NGOs have got involved.
Surprise, surprise

 by Steve Topple
19 February 2024
in Analysis

22 UK NGOs have sent a letter to the prime minister calling on the UK government to reconsider its position on the UN Tax Convention.

The letter – sent ahead of the first meeting of the UN committee (which includes all UN member states including the UK) that will draft the terms of reference for the convention from 20-22 February – calls for the UK to support the negotiation of the UN framework convention on international tax cooperation.
UN Tax Convention: sorely needed

In November 2023, UN countries adopted plans to begin working on a global framework for tax rules. As the Tax Justice Network wrote:

The framework convention can eventually move decision-making on global tax rules from the OECD – a small club of rich countries where this has sat for over 60 years – to the UN.

Predictably, prominent global north countries tried to block the UN Tax Convention:

The UK and EU in particular drew criticism in recent weeks from negotiators at the UN for attempting to “kill” the UN process and for negotiating in “bad faith”.2 The success of the resolution despite the resistance from the world’s strongest economies is a rare feat, and demonstrates the overwhelming demand from countries outside the OECD for the meaningful voice on global tax rules which they have historically been denied.

A last-minute attempt by the UK to defang the UN resolution, by removing any mention of a convention from the resolution, was defeated by nearly 2 to 1: 107 countries rejected the resolution; 55 countries supported it.

The need for global tax reform has never been more urgent.
The Global South: being robbed by the global north

As the Global Alliance for Tax Justice noted in 2020:


Of the $427 billion in tax lost each year globally to tax havens, the report shows that $245 billion is directly lost to corporate tax abuse by multinational corporations and $182 billion to private tax evasion. Multinational corporations paid billions less in tax than they should have by shifting $1.38 trillion worth of profit out of the countries where they were generated and into tax havens, where corporate tax rates are extremely low or non-existent. Private tax evaders paid less tax than they should have by storing a total of over $10 trillion in financial assets offshore.

However, the effect on the Global South is the most stark. The Global Alliance for Tax Justice said:

Higher income countries altogether lose over $382 billion every year whereas lower income countries lose $45 billion. However, lower income countries’ tax losses are equivalent to nearly 52 per cent of their combined public health budgets, whereas higher income countries’ tax losses are equivalent to 8 per cent of their combined public health budgets. Similarly, lower income countries lose the equivalent of 5.8 per cent of the total tax revenue they typically collect a year to global tax abuse whereas higher income countries on average lose 2.5 per cent.

That is – countries in the Global South are being robbed of crucial public money by corporations and governments in the global north.
The NHS budget could increase by 20%

So, groups the Tax Justice Network, Tax Justice UK, and Bond (the UK network for over 350 organisations working in international development) have coordinated a letter to the PM. Signatories include Oxfam, CAFOD, Greenpeace, Global Justice Now, The Bretton Woods Project, and many more.

The letter aims to apply pressure on the government and any future UK government to advocate for a fairer global tax system. It must work with the UN Tax Convention and rebuild the trust of lower-income countries.

The letter, ahead of the meeting of the UN, recognises that:


Revenue losses due to the cross-border tax abuse of multinational companies and of wealthy individuals with offshore assets are estimated to amount to US$480 billion each year globally. High-income countries including the UK lose the greatest amounts in absolute terms. Yet, the losses make up a much higher share of current tax revenues for lower-income countries, which on average are estimated to suffer losses equivalent to almost half of their public health budgets (49%). For the UK, recovering these losses would allow an increase in the NHS budget of around 20%.
UN Tax Convention: the UK must start acting responsibly

Romilly Greenhill, CEO of Bond said:


For too long international tax rules have been determined by an exclusive group of high-income countries. By supporting the UN Tax Convention, the current and any future UK government can demonstrate its commitment to a fairer, more transparent and integrated global tax system, rebuild trust with low-income countries and re-establish the UK’s global reputation as a responsible partner.

Alex Cobham, chief executive of Tax Justice Network said:


The UK is one of the countries that lose most revenue because of the failures of the OECD’s international tax rules. That undermines the scope for government to deliver effective public services, including the NHS. And the UK is also deeply responsible for losses suffered by other countries. Supporting an ambitious UN Tax Convention is just basic sense for any UK government that’s not set on damaging the country or its reputation further.

Featured image via YuriArcursPeopleimages – Envato Elements

 

UK

3.7M JOBS PAID BELOW THE REAL LIVING WAGE IN FIRST RISE SINCE 2020

20 Feb 2024

200,000 MORE LOW-PAID JOBS THAN IN 2022

• 1 in 8 (12.9%) of UK jobs are now paid below the real Living Wage. 

• Hospitality has the highest rate of low pay, with nearly half (48.1%) of all jobs in the sector paid below the real Living Wage.  

• North East England has the highest rate of low pay of any region, with 1 in 6 (15.9%) of jobs paid below the real Living Wage. 

• The real Living Wage, as set by the Living Wage Foundation, is the only wage rate based on the cost of living. It is currently £12 in the UK and a higher rate of £13.15 in London.   

• Over 14,000 UK businesses are accredited with the Living Wage Foundation, including Aviva, Everton FC, Burberry, IKEA, LUSH and Nationwide. 

New analysis of the latest Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), by the Living Wage Foundation, reveals that the number of low paid jobs has risen for the first time since 2020, with 3.7 million UK jobs, or 1 in 8, paid below the real Living Wage in April 2023, 200,000 more than a year earlier. 

The hospitality sector has the highest rate of low paid jobs, with nearly half (48.1%) of all jobs in the sector paid below the real Living Wage. This is roughly twice as high as the next two sectors with the highest rate of low pay; ‘arts, entertainment and recreation’ (24.7%) and ‘retail and wholesale’ (23.2%). Hospitality has been the sector with the highest level of low paid jobs for 12 years running.  

Recent Living Wage Foundation research shows hospitality businesses could benefit from paying staff the real Living Wage, with 66% of Londoners polled saying they would be more likely to choose such venues and 60% willing to pay more for them. 

As Table 1 shows, the region with the highest rate of low paid jobs is the North East (15.9%), closely followed by East Midlands (15.7%) and Northern Ireland (15.6%). 

The ten local authorities with the highest levels of low pay are: Haringey (32.7%), Brent (29.5%), Waltham Forest (28.8%), Bexley (28.5%), Redbridge (28.2%), Hyndburn (26.3%), Harrow (26.1%), Mansfield (25.3%), East Lindsey (25.0%), and Thanet (24.7%). 

The level of low paid jobs in the UK was lower than expected in 2023 due to higher-than-expected levels of nominal wage growth and sharp increases to the National Living Wage. 

Recent research published by the Living Wage Foundation found that despite easing inflation, the cost-of-living crisis is far from over for low paid workers. 39% of those earning less than the real Living Wage report regularly skipping meals for financial reasons during the year to August 2023. 32% have been unable to heat their homes and 27% have fallen behind on their rent or mortgage payments. 52% said that earning less than the real Living Wage during the cost-of-living crisis has negatively impacted their mental health. 

The real Living Wage is the only wage rate calculated based on what people need to live on. It currently stands at £12.00 (UK) and £13.15 (London). For a full-time worker, that represents £3,081 more than someone earning the government’s National Living Wage. A worker on the London Living Wage would be £5,323.50 better off than someone on the National Living Wage.   

In the past two years record numbers of employers have signed up to pay the real Living Wage, including to their third-party contractors like cleaners and security guards, with 1 in 9 employees now working for an accredited Living Wage Employer. Over 14,000 UK businesses are accredited with the Living Wage Foundation, including Aviva, Everton FC and LUSH, as well as thousands of small-to-medium sized businesses. Over 460,000 UK workers receive an annual pay rise to the real Living Wage rates because of their commitment to always paying the real Living Wage. 

Over 130 accredited Living Hours employers, including abrdn, Aviva, and West Brom Building Society, go beyond payment of the real Living Wage to also provide a guaranteed minimum of 16 hours work a week, a month’s notice of shift patterns and a contract that reflects hours worked. 

Nearly 30 employers, including Aviva, Wealthify, Phoenix and Herbert Smith Freehills are leading the way in tackling low pension saving amongst their workers through Living Pension accreditation. 

Katherine Chapman, Living Wage Foundation Director, said: 

“The campaign for a real Living Wage has had a huge impact tackling in work poverty, with over 460,000 workers now receiving an annual pay rise thanks to the commitment of 14,000 accredited Living Wage employers. However, today’s findings show there is more to do with 3.7 million workers not earning a wage in line with the cost of living.  

With the cost-of-living crisis far from over, earning a real Living Wage has never been more important. Employers who want to do the right thing and protect their staff from rising prices can do so, by joining the 14,0000 Living Wage employers who are committed to always paying a wage in line with the cost of living.”  

Nigel Derrett, owner of Newington Fish Bar, the only Living Wage accredited hospitality venue in Thanet, said:  

"When you have a staff team that works well together, interacts with the customers and makes them feel welcome, that when it gets busy go that extra mile to keep all the customers happy and served efficiently, you need to show that they are appreciated and paying them a Living wage or higher is just one of the best ways of doing this. When your workers feel valued it makes them more eager to do their best. Customers will soon pick up on contented workers which ultimately helps the business flourish. I feel if you don't reward staff properly, they will look elsewhere for a better rate and I would lose a valuable employee.” 

Summer Scholes, employee at Newington Fish Bar, said:  

“Last summer I spent 7 days a week on low pay trying to pay my bills, leaving me unable to buy many essentials throughout the month. However, this year whilst being paid by a real Living Wage employer I have been able to pay my bills, get the essentials I need and save some for my future studies. Above all I feel I'm a valued member of the team.” 

Ed Mason, our Director and Co-Founder of The Five Points Brewing Company: 

“The Five Points Brewing Company was the first UK brewery to be an accredited Living Wage Employer, and we remain committed to paying the London Living Wage as a base rate to our staff in our brewery as well as at our hospitality venues: The Five Points Taproom & Courtyard and The Pembury Tavern. Good wages bring good people into the business, and being paid a fair wage increases staff morale, investment and retention.” 

Jon Sibley, Landlord of the Town Mouse Ale House in Newcastle, said:

"Ensuring my staff receive a living wage is a top priority because I want to pay a salary that they can actually live on. I genuinely appreciate the dedication my team shows. Hospitality is about long shifts, physically and mentally intensive graft and people working within our industry deserve to be recognised for the work they do, and not be forced out of a career they love due to poor pay and conditions. We are a small community pub where our employees' relationship with our customers is incredibly important, customers recognise this and keep coming back. At a time where pubs and hospitality is struggling as an industry, retaining experienced staff that customers love to see is all important."

Peter Gibbs, Manager of the Volunteer Tavern in Bristol, said: 

"Being a Real Living Wage employer has increased sales because customers have told me they go out of their way to support an ethical business. Staff are happier working here which means we have a high retention rate meaning we did not suffer when all other businesses were struggling to get staff. But mainly, it's just the right thing to do for a functioning society". 

Seb, 34, employee at Meetini, a sustainable mobile cocktail bar company based in in Haringey, said: 

“Getting the real Living Wage at Meetini has made a big difference for me. It's more than a paycheck; it's feeling valued and less stressed. Now, I can focus on work without worrying about bills. It's a small change that means a lot.” 

 

Table 1. Employee jobs paid below the real Living Wage by region: April 2023 

 

Notes on data:   

Data on the proportion and number of jobs paid below the Living Wage comes from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). Carried out in April each year, ASHE is the most comprehensive source of information on the structure and distribution of earnings and hours worked among employees in the UK. ASHE is based on a 1 per cent sample of employee jobs taken from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Pay As You Earn (PAYE) records.