United Kingdom: Shortage Occupation List (SOL) – a call for evidence

On May 13th 2020, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) issued an update on their call for evidence consultation relating to the UK Shortage Occupation List (SOL). In mid-March, the MAC were commissioned to compile a UK shortage occupation list, which will primarily focus on occupations at the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) medium skill Level 3-5, the results of which are to be reported in September 2020. The MAC are requesting evidence from employers with the aim of obtaining organizations' views on the roles that are being filled by migrant workers, the salaries they are paid and implications of potential changes.

What has changed?

The MAC is a UK public body commissioned by the British Home Office. They provide guidance and advice on immigration matters and earlier this year they were tasked with completing research enabling the UK Government to prepare for the new upcoming 2021 immigration system. As a result, they are currently looking into the UK Shortage Occupation List.

The MAC’s call for evidence consultation period is due to conclude on June 24th 2020. However, due to the outbreak of Coronavirus, organizations may not be in a position to effectively respond to the call for evidence. As such, alongside the main request, the MAC have created options to provide more limited evidence via an online form, or for those organizations unable to respond due to COVID-19 pressures, to register that they would have done so under different circumstances. They also advise that due to current COVID-19 related restrictions, they are unable to respond to any correspondence by post within normal timescales.

What to expect / impact?

This information will be used by the UK Government to prepare for the new points-based immigration system they intend to launch in January 2021. The results of the call for evidence should enable the government to add medium skilled occupations to the UK Shortage Occupation List, based on skills that are currently in short supply.

For further information on the MAC's call for evidence for UK Shortage Occupation List, please contact the Sterling Lexicon immigration team.