Rapid review of the Immigration Salary List

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has published its rapid review of the new Immigration Salary List (ISL). This review was commissioned following recent announcements from the Home Secretary in the Five-Point Plan for Immigration.

Amongst other changes, the Home Secretary proposed that:

• The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) is abolished and replaced with the ISL
• The 20% discount to the ‘going rate’ (from now on to be known as ‘occupation-specific threshold’) for roles on the SOL to be abolished
• The general salary threshold to be increased from £26,200 to £38,700 (with the exception of Health & Care Worker visas which will be £29,000)
• For occupations on the ISL, the salary threshold will be either £30,960 (a 20% discount on the general salary threshold) or the occupation-specific threshold (whichever is higher). This threshold will be £23,200 for Health & Care Worker roles
• The occupation-specific threshold to be increased from the 25th percentile to the 50th percentile (median) full-time salary of the occupation (for non-Health & Care Worker occupations) or the national pay scale (where applicable)

The scope of the MAC’s review was limited to roles that are listed on the current SOL as well as those that the MAC recommended were included on the SOL in their 2023 review. The MAC defines the SOL as a list of occupations where employers face a shortage of suitable labour and where we judge that migration is a sensible response to that shortage.

The report recommends a decline in the number of occupations listed in the ISL, down from around 30% to only 8% of roles eligible for the Skilled Worker route. A total of 21 occupations are listed on the ISL, including:

• Care workers, home carers and senior care workers
• Artists
• Graphic designers
• Chemical scientists
• Boat and ship builders and repairers
• Bricklayers and masons
• Roofers, roof tilers and slaters
• Laboratory technicians
• Pharmaceutical technicians
• Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services

The review recommends the removal of roles which would not benefit from inclusion on the ISL because the occupation-specific threshold would be higher than the general salary threshold. This includes all roles on national pay scales, for example teaching professionals and health professionals.

The advantage of a role being included on the ISL relates to both a reduction in the salary requirement as well as reduced application fees to the Home Office. However, the benefits become less obvious with an increased salary threshold of at least £30,960 and set against the backdrop of ever-rising Home Office fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge.

The proposed changes are due to come into force in April 2024.

It should be borne in mind that this was a rapid review by the MAC and it is intended that a full review of the ISL will take place later this year. The MAC has stated in order to conduct this review they will need clarity from the government about the benefits and long-term purpose of the ISL.

If you would like any advice or assistance regarding the Skilled Worker route, then please do not hesitate to contact one of the experienced solicitors in our immigration team.