We’ll make sure people have turkeys on Christmas, says Tory President Business News

Anyone concerned that the worsening UK supply crisis could ruin their Christmas dinner must be assured that turkeys will be available this holiday season, the Tory President has said.

Oliver Dowden said ensuring the country has enough poultry to move into the New Year was a priority for the government, as the number of sectors affected by labor shortages continued to grow.

The government is hoping the army of workers brought in from overseas on temporary visas “saves Christmas,” but food and transport industry executives were quick to pour cold water on the plans.

Speaking to Sky News’ Trevor Phillips on Sunday, Mr Dowden insisted there were supply chain issues around the world due to the shortage of truck drivers, but said the issues turkey production were being resolved.

“We will make sure people have their turkeys for Christmas,” he said.

“I know for Environment Secretary George Eustice it’s absolutely top of his list.”

He added: “We are not unique to the UK in this area. If you look across Poland, the United States, other countries, there are driver shortages – this is due to a series of factors.

The government’s main response to complaints from critics about a worsening supply crisis is to insist that the country cannot be expected to rely on cheap immigrant labor in the country. to come up.

But at the same time, ministers announced 5,000 temporary visas to foreign truck drivers amid shortage warnings on the shelves ahead of Christmas – apparently acknowledging that allowing overseas workers to come to the UK- Uni is a solution to the crisis.

Experts have encouraged shoppers to buy the Christmas dinner ahead of time and put it in the freezer if they want to avoid disappointment.

“At the end of the day, I now think we just ran out of time,” said James Withers, of Scotland Food & Drink. “I don’t think there is anything to do now to get the Christmas business where it should be.

“This despite the warnings issued since the summer about the extent of the potential labor shortage we could be facing.”

Mr. Withers urged people to “plan ahead” and think early on what foods could be frozen to avoid disappointment later.