Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure that roles on the shortage occupation list (a) reflect the skills required by UK businesses and (b) are defined appropriately to allow individuals with relevant skills to apply for them, including an asylum seeker who has been in the UK for more than 12 months awaiting for a decision on a claim through no fault of their own.

The Government intends to commission the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) shortly to review the Shortage Occupation List and we encourage businesses to provide their evidence to the MAC when their call for evidence issues. The Government looks forward to receiving the MAC’s independent, evidence-based recommendations.

It is a matter for an employer to ensure workers have the specific qualifications and skills required for the relevant job they have applied for.