Labour MP Advocates for Help-to-Buy Boats and Training to Revitalise UK Fishing
A Labour MP has proposed a radical help-to-buy scheme for fishing vessels alongside government-funded training pathways, warning that coastal communities are being "diminished" by the decline of the industry. Anna Gelderd, MP for South East Cornwall, made the plea during a Commons debate on the future of fishing, highlighting the urgent need to make the sector accessible to the next generation.
Securing the Future for Young Fishers
Gelderd argued that current barriers are preventing young people from entering the profession. "Young people currently cannot step aboard a fishing vessel until the age of 16, even though this is prime age for learning practical skills," she told Parliament. She emphasised the lack of structured support and mentoring needed to pass traditional knowledge, safety guidelines, and best practices between generations.
The MP's proposed package includes:
- A properly funded mentoring and training pathway
- Help-to-buy schemes for boats, licences, and quota
- Measures to transform fishing from a "closed shop" into a realistic career choice again
"If we are serious about the future of fishing, we must make it accessible for that next generation," Gelderd stated, pointing to the greatly reduced number of vessels and the difficulty fishers face in making a living and supporting their families.
Immigration Cliff Edge Threatens Industry
The debate also revealed growing concerns about the impending end of rules on overseas hiring in December. Multiple MPs warned that fishing companies could be severely affected by the changes, with some constituencies facing particular vulnerability.
Torcuil Crichton, Labour MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, warned that his constituency off Scotland's west coast is likely to be "significantly impacted." He highlighted how depopulation has created a critical shortage of working-age people, forcing skippers to rely on overseas crews.
"A skipper from the Western Isles got in touch with me recently to say that seven years ago when he had a local crew of seven, he is now forced to employ three crew members from Ghana," Crichton revealed. "He and his son now skipper the vessel back-to-back to fish every opportunity and make sure they pay the foreign crews the right wages, which are considerably more than he and his son take home."
Calls for Bespoke Visa Solutions
Jim Shannon, the Democratic Unionist Party MP for Strangford, described the December deadline as a "cliff edge" that was "really worrying" for the industry. He called for a dedicated immigration route for fishing crew post-2026, preferably in the form of a bespoke visa.
"This will protect British businesses, while a recruitment drive seeks to source more domestic labour for the fishing industry in the long term," Shannon argued.
Seamus Logan, the SNP MP for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, went further, claiming that Home Office visa restrictions were "suffocating the growth of fishing in Scotland." He challenged the notion that local recruitment could solve the problem, stating: "This mythical workforce sitting at home twiddling their thumbs simply does not exist, because we are at full employment in my constituency, and efforts to recruit young people into this industry are simply not working."
Government Response and Industry Challenges
Food security minister Dame Angela Eagle acknowledged the difficulties in recruiting into the fishing sector, noting that "entry into the industry requires significant investment." She praised the industry's ability to adapt but made no concrete commitments on policy changes.
On the visa issue, Dame Angela promised that the sector's concerns would be "properly represented" to Home Office ministers, offering some hope for those fearing the December deadline.
The debate highlighted the complex challenges facing UK fishing: an ageing workforce, difficulties attracting young people, reliance on overseas labour, and the need for substantial capital investment. As MPs from across the political spectrum voiced their concerns, it became clear that without intervention, many traditional fishing communities face an uncertain future.
