Asked by: Lord Allen of Kensington (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the State of Trade Survey: Q3 2017 by the Federation of Master Builders, whether they intend to add carpenters and joiners to the shortage occupation list; and what action they intend to take to address the skills shortage of carpenters and joiners.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
In July, the Government has commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the full composition of the Shortage Occupation List. The MAC has been asked to report by Spring 2019. The review will begin shortly and the MAC will publish its findings and recommendations. The Government will consider all recommendations made by the MAC.
Asked by: Lord Allen of Kensington (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect the independent Migration Advisory Committee to complete its review of the shortage occupation lists; whether they will publish the findings of that review once it has been completed; and whether they intend to implement its recommendations in full.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
In July, the Government has commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the full composition of the Shortage Occupation List. The MAC has been asked to report by Spring 2019. The review will begin shortly and the MAC will publish its findings and recommendations. The Government will consider all recommendations made by the MAC.
Asked by: Lord Allen of Kensington (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to remove vets from the Tier two visa cap.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
On 15 June, the Government announced a temporary change to the Tier 2 (General) cap. This is designed to address particular pressures facing the NHS at the current time but will mean that more spaces will be freed up within the cap for other sponsored high-skilled occupations, including vets. This change came into effect on 6 July and will be kept under review.
In parallel, we have commissioned the independent Migration Advisory Committee to undertake a full review of the composition of the Shortage Occupation List. This review will enable the MAC to look at which posts are in national shortage and should be given priority within the Tier 2 cap in future. That review will conclude in Spring 2019.
Asked by: Lord Allen of Kensington (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what will be the terms of reference for the review of Tier 2 visas; and when they expect to announce any changes to the Tier 2 visa policy.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
On Friday 15 June, the Government announced changes to the allocation of places within the Tier 2 (General) cap of 20,700. The change – which will be implemented through amended Immigration Rules coming into effect on 6 July – will ensure that all doctors and all nurses needed in the UK will be able to be recruited to work here without being counted against the cap. This is intended to be a temporary change which recognises the importance of alleviating pressure on the NHS and which creates extra space within the cap for other sectors of the economy.
In parallel to this change, we have also commissioned the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the full composition of the Shortage Occupation List.