About us
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is an independent, non-statutory, non-time limited, non-departmental public body that advises the government on migration issues.
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is an independent, non-statutory, non-time limited, non-departmental public body that advises the government on migration issues. Our sponsoring department is the Home Office.
The MAC has a UK wide remit and works across government, providing transparent, independent and evidence-based advice. Our work is primarily led by commissions from Home Secretary. However, 2020 will be the first year that the MAC publishes an annual report, with a subsequent expansion of more committee led analysis, to sit alongside the commissions.
The MAC bases all recommendations on what it sees as being in the interests of the resident population, taking account that migration has different effects on different groups.
The committee is supported by a permanent civil service secretariat of around 20 people. The secretariat is staffed by economists, social researchers, statisticians and policy/ communication staff.
The way we work
Commissions are sent to the MAC from the Home Secretary, which are published along with a response from the chair of the MAC.
We release a timed call for evidence – this is where we welcome comments, supported by evidence, from the public, industry or representative bodies through a digital form.
Stakeholder engagement – we go out and meet with interested stakeholders around the UK and through remote meetings.
Our analysts carry out in-house data gathering, analysis and modelling.
When required, we commission external modelling. The MAC has previously engaged with third party experts who support the team with evidence building.
We write up findings and conclusions with policy recommendations considering the full range of evidence.
The Home Secretary receives the report on the day of publication.
After careful consideration, the Home Office publishes an official response to our recommendations.
Who are the committee?
The MAC is currently made up of a chair and 4 other independent members, who have been appointed under rules relating to public appointments laid down by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA). Additionally, the Home Office are represented on the committee:
- Professor Brian Bell (Chair)
- Professor Dina Kiwan
- Professor Sergi Pardos-Prado
- Dr Madeleine Sumption
- Professor Jo Swaffield
- Della McVay (ex-officio member, Home Office)
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