The
following is a government response to the Migration Advisory Committee
Report.
Dear
Stakeholder,
Today the government has
announced its decision to accept recommendations by the Migration Advisory
Committee (MAC) to changes within the Points Based System which the MAC
published on the 19 August 2009.
Over the coming months, the
UK Border Agency will work closely with key stakeholders to ensure these
changes are implemented in a fair and strategic way. For full details of
today's announcement and press notice please click on the following link on
the UK Border Agency website:
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/news-and-updates/
Summary
MAC recommendations:
The MAC
has concluded that there is not an economic case for restricting Tier 2 to
shortage occupations only. It has advised that the existing routes should
be retained because:
-
The Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT) route plays a key role in
supporting key public services, such as education and health.
-
The Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) route is important in ensuring the UK
remains globally competitive and continues to attract high levels of
inward investment.
The MAC
has made various specific recommendations about the detail of how Tier 2
works and is enforced. These recommendations fall into four areas:
-
The points awarded under Tier 2
-
The duration and the enforcement of the Resident Labour Market Test
-
The qualifying period, the duration and the enforcement of Intra-Company
Transfers
-
How allowances for Tier 2 migrants should be considered
Further
information on the MAC can be found, alongside the report itself, on the UK
Border Agency website at:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/workingwithus/indbodies/mac/
We are
very keen to work with members on the detail of how these changes will be
implemented.
Stakeholder
Team
Economic and Family Migration Programme
