I gather the problem is that the UK government actually wants Kiwis (and others) who come over to work as shearers to start paying tax and national insurance on their wages - and they're threatening not to come over as a result. Talks - as they say - are ongoing. I do not know enough of the economics of the business to say who, if anyone, is being unreasonable.

Please, don't enlighten me.

Shearing is a highly specialised trade, but the season for it in any one country is short. I guess it's not feasible to train as a shearer to work just a few weeks out of the year. That's why Kiwi shearers come here in their winter. I guess UK shearers don't go to New Zealand in OUR winter - maybe they're expected to pay tax there.

There must be a song in this.

Andrew