David Cameron has this week confirmed that the Home Secretary has written to the Migration Advisory Committee (‘MAC’) asking it to advise on reducing work migration from outside the EU.
The MAC will examine how the Tier 2 (Skilled Work) visa system functions and will advise the Government on:
- restricting work visas to genuine shortage and highly specialist experts
- putting a time limit on how long a sector can claim to have a skills shortage
- a new skills levy on Tier 2 visas to boost funding to UK apprenticeships
- raising salary thresholds to stop businesses using foreign workers to undercut wages.
The Home Secretary has asked for the MAC’s proposals on raising salary thresholds to be fast tracked in order that the new requirements can be included in the Autumn Immigration Rule changes. The remainder of the work is due to be completed by the end of the year.
Organisations that hold or are intending to apply for a Tier 2 sponsor licence should monitor these developments carefully and we will provide updates on our website when further announcements are made.
