Farming leaders voiced "great relief" after ministers confirmed pay rates for seasonal fruit and vegetable pickers will be brought in line with the National Living Wage (NLW).

The issue sparked concern and confusion last year before minimum wage rates in the government's seasonal worker scheme from April 2022 were set 6.5pc higher than NLW.

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) said this left growers facing unexpected wage inflation at short notice, during a time of unprecedented and continuing cost pressures.

But now Defra farming minister Mark Spencer has announced seasonal workers will be paid NLW rates from April 2023.

NFU deputy president Tom Bradshaw welcomed the decision, as labour is "one of the highest costs associated with producing fruit and vegetables".

"Growers need confidence to continue producing food for the nation," he said.

"We worked with government to provide evidence to demonstrate the impact further wage inflation in 2023 would have on the decline of domestic horticulture production."

The government has announced the NLW will increase this year by 9.7pc to £10.42 from April 1.