The Migration Advisory Committee publishes its review of the Shortage Occupation List

This year the MAC has recommended a smaller list of occupations, including bricklayers, roofers and retrofitters, laboratory and pharmaceutical technicians; and some racing industry roles, alongside care workers. For Scotland specifically, fishing boat masters and ship builders have been recommended. 

The MAC’s review was based on a new change – that employers should no longer be allowed to pay wages below the UK going rate. This means that the majority of higher-skilled occupations previously on the SOL – such as IT technicians - were not included this year, with the MAC arguing that employers willing to match UK pay rates could use the skilled worker visa route instead. 

It is important to note that while the Committee has recommended these roles be added to the SOL, it is up to the government whether or not they accept the MAC’s recommendations. 

Controversially, the MAC have called for the government to abolish or he