Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of a language competency for the shortage occupation list under the proposed new immigration framework.

In December 2018, the Government set out its proposals in “the UK’s future Skills-based Immigration System” White Paper. The White Paper proposals include a new route for skilled workers which will be open to anyone at RQF level 3 and above, irrespective of where they are applying from. The White Paper is clear that those applying in this route will be subject to an assessment of their language skills in order to support integration.

The Shortage Occupation List (SOL), is based on expert advice from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) and identifies those occupations deemed to be in national shortage. It does not include a separate language assessment. The MAC published their most recent review of the full SOL on the 29 May. The Government is grateful to the MAC for a comprehensive report, the content of which we are now considering.