The Home Secretary has published a Commissioning Letter to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) that asks the Committee to look at the UK's immigration system and the impacts of the UK's separation from the European Union on the labor market. The Home Secretary has asked for the findings to be published by September 2018, but has requested interim reports.

The extensive report will encompass two branches of concern:  (1) EU and EEA Migration; and (2) Aligning the UK Immigration System with a Modern Industrial Strategy.  Some of the key areas that will be covered include the following:

• Current patterns of EU and EEA migration by sector, skill level, assignment duration and expected future trends;
• Economic and social costs and benefits of such migration;
• Potential impact of future reductions in EU and EEA migration;
• Current impact of immigration on the competitiveness of UK industry, and
• Amendment of the shortage occupation list to include shortages in lower-skilled roles.

The MAC will make recommendations to the Home Secretary by September 2018 and will consider the request to publish interim reports throughout this period.

What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
Although there is no immediate impact on employers and foreign nationals in the United Kingdom, the MAC's findings will have a tangible impact on the way the UK's immigration system looks post Brexit and in shaping the role of migration in the economy and wider society. The Commissioning Letter emphasizes that the United Kingdom will remain a hub for international talent, and that a new system must be aligned with a modern industrial strategy that meets the needs of the economy while recognizing that free movement will end as the United Kingdom leaves the European Union.

The MAC's letter in response confirms that a call for evidence will be released in the coming weeks, detailing how employers and other stakeholders can get involved.

Fragomen is preparing a more detailed review of the MAC's remit along with practical advice for employers.
This alert is for informational purposes only.

If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen Worldwide or send an email to londoninfo@fragomen.com.