The NFU has successfully negotiated for the 12-month NIC (National Insurance Charge) exemption for non-EC SAWS (Student Agricultural Workers Scheme) workers to remain, saving British horticulture hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The Inland Revenue had ruled the NIC exemption would only apply to non-EC SAWS workers where English studies formed the central part of their degree. The NFU has successfully negotiated to have all non-EU SAWS workers eligible for the exemption, provided English forms a part of their course.
Without the reclassification British growers would have been required by law to pay all NIC exemptions claimed in previous tax years and to pay the NIC in future to operate the scheme.
NFU horticultural board chairman, Graham Ward said: "This successful, behind-the-scenes negotiation is good news for British growers. This decision effectively means growers no longer face the prospect of paying thousands-of-pounds in NIC back payments. It's also a great relief to those growers planning to make use of the scheme in coming years.”
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