The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has published the first stage of its 12-month review of the Temporary Shortage List (TSL), which was commissioned by the previous Home Secretary Yvette Cooper MP on 2 July 2025. The first-stage document provides recommendations for the design of the TSL, and a list of occupations which the MAC considers should proceed to Stage 2 for further consideration due to their potential importance for delivery of the Industrial Strategy or critical infrastructure. A summary of the report is set out below.

The Chair of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), Professor Brian Bell, has accepted the Home Secretary’s request to commission a review of the international recruitment of Information Technology and Telecommunications Professionals and Engineering Professionals.

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has published its review of Professionals in IT and Engineering. The review, commissioned by the Home Secretary in August 2024, examines the use of the immigration system by firms recruiting IT and Engineering professionals. It finds that while these sectors are among the top users of the immigration system, their reliance on international recruitment is proportionate to their size. Also, migrant workers in both occupation groups make a significantly positive net fiscal contribution. The report makes no formal recommendations, but notes that addressing skills shortages in these sectors requires a multifaceted approach. It emphasises the need for sustainable funding models for Higher Education (HE) and Further Education (FE), increased employer investment in training, and long-term efforts to improve gender diversity. The report also discusses the challenges of aligning immigration and skills policies without creating undue complexity or unintended consequences.

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has been commissioned by the Home Secretary to review the financial requirements on the family immigration rules. This includes examining the current Minimum Income Requirement (MIR) of £29,000 and the Adequate Maintenance (AM) test for sponsoring family members to come to or stay in the UK. The MAC has now appointed Revealing Reality to conduct interviews and IFF Research to deliver a survey for the purpose of gathering data on applicants' experiences with these financial requirements. The review aims to balance respect for family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights with maintaining the UK's economic wellbeing. The previous government’s plans to increase the MIR to £34,500 and subsequently to £38,700 by early 2025 are now subject to this review.

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has published a qualitative study produced by research agency Revealing Reality, looking into the experiences of 40 graduate visa holders in the UK. The report is based on qualitative research with international graduates who came to the UK on the Graduate route visa. It explores their experiences finding employment and settling in the UK after graduating. The key findings are set out below.

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has published the results of a qualitative study, produced by research agency Revealing Reality, which analysed the effectiveness of the Seasonal Worker Visa Scheme (SWS). The study found that the SWS has become a crucial source of labour for many farms that face significant seasonal labour shortages due to a variety of factors. In addition, the SWS was noted as mutually beneficial for workers and farms, and many farms implemented measures to improve worker welfare and ensure satisfaction, however, some farms reported that the six-month cooling-off period mandated by the SWS did not align well with the unpredictability of agricultural seasons, meaning that it is difficult to retain the right number of workers for the time period when they are required the most.

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has published its 2025 annual report which also includes analysis on three specific issues. The report initially provides an in-depth analysis of the modelling tools used by the MAC to assess the short-and long-term impact of the Family visa routes on fiscal outcomes. The report then looks at two topics highlighted in the May 2025 Immigration White Paper, Restoring Control over the Immigration System. The Overseas Domestic Worker (ODW) visa is assessed followed by an examination of the impact of English language proficiency in ensuring integration in the UK. A summary of this analysis is set out below.

A simplified sequestration process for people with few assets. It is only available to people with debts of between £1,500 and £17,000 and where assets do not exceed £2,000 (with no single asset worth more than £1,000). The debtor must have been in receipt of benefits only for the previous six months or not be capable of paying a contribution as assessed by the Common Financial Tool

This term can refer to: —the Market Conduct Sourcebook which is part of the FCA Handbook and provides guidance on the UK Market Abuse Regulation (Retained Regulation (EU) No 596/2014) —the UK Market Abuse Regulation (Retained Regulation (EU) 596/2014), the onshored version of the EU regulation which is usually referred to as UK MAR, or —the EU Market Abuse Regulation (Regulation (EU) 596/2014) which is usually referred to as EU MAR

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The buy-out of a business where the transaction is driven by new management, frequently backed by a equity'>private equity house.

Municipal Bond Insurance Association—a monoline insurer.