29/04/2009 14:51
MIGRATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PRESS RELEASE
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) today published the first review of the shortage occupation lists for skilled workers coming to the UK from outside the European Economic Area (EEA).
In the UK labour market, vacancy levels have fallen and unemployment and redundancies have risen sharply. The MAC has responded to the current economic climate by suspending quantity surveyors and managers in construction from the shortage occupation lists.
The MAC has recommended a number of other key changes:
* only social workers for children and families are kept on the list; all other social workers should be removed;
* the skill threshold is changed for care assistants and chefs;
* the following jobs are added to the list: orchestral musicians, visual effects and computer animation technicians and contemporary dancers; and
* there are additions and removals within some job titles in the healthcare profession.*
In announcing the publication of its recommendations the Chair of the Committee, Professor David Metcalf, said:
"The Points Based System, including the shortage occupation list, has to operate for the benefit of UK workers, especially given the current economic climate.
"These latest recommendations take account of the impact of the worldwide recession on the UK. We have looked critically at the evidence regarding the occupations under review and made recommendations which balance the needs of the UK workforce against those of employers.
"It is important to note that some shortages of skilled labour will still exist in a recession. This can be where there is a long-term structural shortage of skilled workers, where workers provide key public services, or in areas such as culture where the UK needs to maintain global leadership."
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