The report, A Points-Based System and Salary Thresholds for Immigration, focuses on the UK鈥檚 future skills-based work migration system once the Brexit transition period ends. It makes recommendations around the possible role of a points-based immigration system and the appropriate level and design of salary thresholds.
The MAC recommends for those with an existing job offer:
- a decrease in the salary threshold from 拢30,000 to 拢25,600 on the general work visa
- an expansion of the general work visa to include many construction skills
- the salary requirements for new entrants to be reduced and to allow for workers to achieve recognised qualifications.
The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) director of external affairs Marie-Claude Hemming said: 鈥淭he conclusions and recommendations of this report demonstrate that the needs of the construction sector have been heard by the committee.
鈥淲e anticipate that if these recommendations are adopted by government, a number of construction companies will still be able to find the skills they need to deliver the world class infrastructure our country so desperately needs.鈥�
There is, however, no indication from the government that it will accept any of the MAC鈥檚 recommendations. Lobby briefings indicate that the Home Office is not keen.
Marie-Claude Hemming continued: 鈥淲e express some concern that the 鈥榣ow-skilled鈥� route is not discussed as part of the review, and that the Shortage Occupation List will not be reviewed until a new migration system has embedded, but recognise that further analysis is needed by industry to fully understand the impact of these proposed changes.鈥�
The MAC said that it did not believe that occupations on the SOL should have lower salary thresholds, as it exempts them from pressure to increase wages, or improve conditions, which could exacerbate any existing shortages.
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) was also 鈥榚ncouraged鈥� by the MAC recommendations. FMB chief executive Brian Berry said: 鈥淐onstruction workers of all skill levels from labourers to site managers will be needed to deliver the Government鈥檚 ambitious housing and infrastructure targets. While there is much more to do to train up our domestic workforce, skill shortages and an ageing demographic will mean the construction sector will still need access to workers from outside the UK.
鈥淪alary is not always a true reflection of skill, so it is very welcome that the Migration Advisory Committee has recommended that the salary threshold be reduced to 拢25,600. More than half of FMB members said that a 拢30,000 salary was higher than what they would typically pay, so it鈥檚 good that these proposals now reflect reality. It is also encouraging that the MAC has recommended that 'medium-skilled' roles such as carpenters and painters should be eligible for skilled visas.鈥�
Brian Berry concluded: 鈥淭he temporary visa route remains a concern, however. This route will need to have a path to permanent settlement otherwise many workers will simply choose to work elsewhere. The government should consider giving temporary migrants the opportunity to complete training and settle on a skilled visa while remaining in the UK.鈥�
Matthew Fell, CBI chief UK policy director, said: 鈥淏usinesses know free movement is ending. A new immigration system that is fair and sustainable from day one is as important for many firms as our future trading relationships.
鈥淩educing the headline salary threshold will be welcomed by businesses, which argued that a 拢30,000 cap would be damaging. Yet even with a commitment to world class business training, it remains unclear how firms can hire for mid-skilled roles such as LGV drivers, joiners and lab technicians who don鈥檛 meet the 拢25,600 test.
鈥淔lexibility will be needed to build a system that lets wages rise where there are shortages while helping businesses to access the skills and labour needed to grow all parts of the UK.鈥�
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