Number of seasonal workers seeking help after being sacked by UK farms doubles in past year

Exclusive: Government warned ‘unobtainable targets’ being used to dismiss migrant fruit pickers at short notice

• Sacked fruit picker tells of treatment on Kent farm

The number of farm workers seeking help with dismissal after travelling to work in British fields and orchards has soared over the past year, according to research.

The trend is thought to be in part because of pressure to meet picking targets, the challenges faced by farmers trying to stay profitable and an unintended consequence of new laws guaranteeing minimum hours.