Transparency data

Migration Advisory Committee minutes, 13 November 2020

Published 28 July 2021

© Crown copyright 2021

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/migration-advisory-committee-meeting-minutes-2020/migration-advisory-committee-minutes-13-november-2020

133rd meeting of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC)

Friday 13th November 2020 10am to 12:30pm

Video /Telephone Conference

Attending:

  • Professor Brian Bell
  • Dr Jennifer Smith
  • Madeleine Sumption
  • Professor Jo Swaffield
  • Professor Jackline Wahba
  • Della McVay
  • MAC Secretariat

Agenda item 1 – Welcome

1. Brian Bell opened the meeting, welcoming two new starters to the secretariat and Della McVay, as the new ex-officio member Home Office.

2. Professor Jackline Wahba was congratulated on her OBE.

Agenda item 2 – Home Office, MAC secretariat and MAC updates

3. Della McVay provided an update on Home Office business. The immigration bill passed with one concession. Launched the beginning of the EU communication campaign with a massive push on readiness of new immigration rules for 1st December. 1st phase of FBIS complete. Looking ahead the focus will be: New sovereign border programme; response to COVID-19, seasonal agriculture workers and assessing the impact of the migration policy so far.

4. Toby Nutley provided an update on secretariat business. SOL recommendations are not currently being accepted by the Home Secretary. Job adverts have been drafted for the devolved nation’s posts. Jennifer’s and Jackie’s appointments on the committee have been extended and the submission on re-appointing Jo has been submitted. The list of appointable candidates to the committee have come back from Number 10 with due diligence checks by the Home Office currently underway.

5. Brian Bell gave an update on his call with the Scottish migration minister.The MAC will continue to actively engage.

Agenda item 3 – SOL recommendations

6. Della McVay provided an update on the SOL recommendations outcome. There are two possible options: accept now, or delay. They were not currently accepted as HO are waiting to see how the new immigration system lands and to better understand the impact of COVID-19.

Agenda item 4 – Annual Review timeline’s

7. The secretariat gave a brief rundown of all chapter’s timelines and when the committee should expect to receive chapters for comment.

Agenda item 5 – Annual Report: Labour market impacts

8. The secretariat provided an update on the labour markets impact chapter and asked questions where they wanted clarification on the direction of certain parts of the chapter

Agenda item 6 – Annual Report: Labour market progression

9. The secretariat provided an update on the labour market progression section of the annual report. Slight issues raised about its presentation.

Agenda item 7 – Annual Report: Self-employed analysis

10. The secretariat provided an update on the self-employed research from HMRC. Some small changes suggested to improve the flow of the paper.

Agenda item 8 – Annual Report: Employer Analysis

11. The secretariat provided an update on the employer research from HMRC. No major issues to be addressed.

Agenda item 9 – Annual Report: Windrush

12. The secretariat provided an update on the Windrush piece. No major issues to be addressed.

Agenda item 10 – Annual Report: Financial section

13. The secretariat provided an update on the financial report. It was decided that the finance and governance of the MAC will be included in a separate document alongside the Annual Report.

Agenda item 11 – Evaluation: Update on research questions and data

14. The secretariat provided an update on the evaluation. Working with HOAI to develop the evaluation framework.

Agenda item 12 – AOB

15. The ICT commission’s timeline was discussed. The secretariat are to present some high level stats and agree the important questions for the December committee meeting.

16. The secretariat team are to go into the field to speak to employers about their experiences with the ICT route. Interim findings are expected in January.

Back to top