Transparency data

Migration Advisory Committee minutes, 18 November 2022

Updated 6 July 2023

Migration Advisory Committee
2nd Floor, Peel Building NE
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF

Minutes of the 157th meeting of the Migration Advisory Committee

Friday 18 November 2022 10:00am to 12:30pm

Video / Telephone conference

Attending

• Professor Brian Bell
• Professor Dina Kiwan
• Professor Sergi Pardos-Prado
• Madeleine Sumption
• Professor Jo Swaffield
• Matthew Leng
• Toby Nutley
• MAC Secretariat

Apologies - Della McVay

Agenda Item 1 – Welcome and introductions

1. Brian Bell opened the meeting and welcomed the attendees. Brian introduced a new starter to the secretariat.

Agenda Item 2 – Home Office, MAC Secretariat and MAC updates

2. Matthew Leng updated the committee and secretariat members on Home Office business. Matthew highlighted issues in need of consideration with regards to when work on reviewing the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) can be resumed. Matthew stated that actions are ongoing to secure a government response to the MAC’s report on the adult social care sector, published in April 2022. Matt also highlighted that a UK-India Young Professionals Scheme agreement was signed this week; launch of this scheme is expected to take place in 2023.

3. Toby Nutley updated the committee on plans regarding future recruitment to the committee, including a 6th committee member. Toby gave an update on ongoing work with DEFRA relating to shortages in the food and farming sector. Toby highlighted a recent conversation with HMT in which Brian was thanked for the advice provided to the OBR ahead of the Autumn Statement.

Toby also highlighted that the MAC had been acknowledged by the OBR within its recent economic and fiscal outlook paper.

4. Brian updated the committee and secretariat on a recent conversation with the chair of the OBR, Richard Hughes, who emphasised gratitude to the MAC for its input on net migration. Brian also met with The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper where they discussed the MAC’s current work programme and pressures in the labour market.

Agenda item 3 – Annual Report – full draft

5. The secretariat presented to the committee a near-final iteration of the Annual Report. Discussing each chapter in turn, the committee provided comments to be taken into account when finalising the Annual Report for publication in December. A draft of the Annual Governance Report was also discussed.

Agenda item 4 – Revealing Reality employer research update

6. The secretariat gave a brief update on the employer research that is ongoing and being performed in conjunction with research agency Revealing Reality. Findings of this research are being implemented in the labour market and immigration chapter of the Annual Report. A standalone report based on this research is also planned. Brian suggested that the possibility of Revealing Reality presenting its findings at December committee meeting be explored.

Agenda item 5 – Evidence projects – themes, priorities, and next steps

7. The secretariat presented an overview of a compilation of evidence themes which the MAC could potentially explore as part of its future work programme. The secretariat asked the committee for its views on approach and prioritisation.

Agenda item 6 – Migrant wage progression

8. The secretariat presented to the committee a proposal for a policy paper on salary progression seeking input on scope and structure. This paper would be published alongside an academic piece on salary progression currently being produced by the MAC.

Agenda item 7 – Indeed publication - finalisation

9. The secretariat requested feedback form the committee on a final iteration of a research paper which explores data from the jobs site Indeed. This research paper is scheduled for publication in early December.

Agenda item 8 – AOB

10. None.