Response from Professor Brian Bell, 18 January 2024 (accessible)
Published 19 January 2024
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Migration Advisory Committee
2nd Floor Peel Building NE
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
Dear Home Secretary,
18 January 2024
Thank you for your letter dated 17 January 2024 asking the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to carry out a rapid review of the new Immigration Salary List (ISL), previously known as the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). We accept this commission and acknowledge your request to report back by 23 February 2024. The MAC will also take the opportunity in the rapid review to highlight the details of the new salary thresholds and the potential benefits of the ISL that will need to be clarified prior to a full review.
Given the significant time constraints we are working to as part of this rapid review, we have made Home Office officials aware that we will not be able to undertake the stakeholder consultation we usually carry out in response to government commissions. In the interim, we can utilise available data and the extensive stakeholder engagement carried out as part of our major review of the SOL in 2023, in order to perform robust analysis. As part of a fuller review of the ISL starting later in the year, we intend to carry out extensive stakeholder engagement, including a Call for Evidence, alongside a renewed assessment of labour market conditions and available data.
On behalf of the Migration Advisory Committee,
Yours sincerely,
Professor Brian Bell
Chair, Migration Advisory Committee