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Food: Safety

Asked by Kevin HollinrakeConservativeDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 19 January 2026UIN 103336

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed retrospective changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain qualifying periods on (a) the number of migrant meat hygiene inspectors working in the Food Standards Agency and (b) food safety and export standards.

Answered by Ashley Dalton

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) does not have directly employed staff who are subject to skilled worker visas.

The FSA recruits and trains domestic Official Auxiliaries, Meat Hygiene Inspectors, twice a year in line with the Government strategy of placing a strong emphasis on developing a sustainable, United Kingdom-based workforce. The FSA is also supporting its delivery partners in the development of domestic recruitment and training capabilities and plans to align with this strategy.

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