A Seasonal Worker scheme operator suspended by the Home Office has slammed the government as it launches a fresh legal challenge.

Ethero, a former operator under the scheme, has applied to the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal its case against the Home Office, following its loss in the High Court over the suspension of its operator licence in April 2024…

Managing director Gareth Hughes told The Grocer it been “almost ruinous” for the business, with long-term staff losing jobs and growers left without workers.

“All we seek is fairness,” Hughes said. “The Home Office suggested that Ethero was a risk to the immigration system. This is completely untrue and evidenced by the fact that the actions we took in a very difficult situation resulted in no asylum seekers, no undue increase in workers absconding from work and no worker welfare issues.

“In face, it is actually the Home Office’s own processes that caused serious worker welfare issues and distress and increased risk to the UK immigration system.”

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