techUK Response to the Migration Advisory Committee Call for Evidence
techUK welcomes the opportunity to submit evidence to the Migration Advisory Committee on the details of the salary threshold for the future immigration system. techUK has previously published its asks of the post-Brexit immigration system – developing a set of proposals based on the principles that we believe are necessary to support the UK’s thriving tech sector.
Between 2014 and 2017 employment in the digital tech sector increased by 13.2%, with a total of 2.1 million jobs in the sector, yet the UK faces challenges in the domestic labour market with a chronic digital skills gap. techUK members are making significant investments to skill the domestic pipeline of future tech talent and their current workforce, with much being done regarding upskilling, retraining and lifelong learning, but there is an immediate need for skilled labour in the tech sector. Migration, both EU and Rest of World, is key to the tech sector’s continued success.
techUK's Key Recommendations
- Lower the minimum salary threshold: salary is not proxy for skill level. The minimum salary threshold should be lowered in line with the change in the skills threshold (now RQF level 3 and above).
- Abolishing the Shortage Occupation List: if the annual cap on Tier 2 visas is removed in the future immigration system, as outlined in the Immigration White Paper, techUK recommends abolishing the Shortage Occupation List as most of the benefits of being on the list will have been removed.
- Allow exceptions to the minimum salary threshold: for new entrants, part-time workers, and have considerations towards salary.
- No clear benefits of a new points-based system: the UK currently awards migrants points under the Tier 2 skilled worker visa, and it is unclear how a proposed system would differ.
Please read the full consultation response below, and get in touch with Nimmi Patel if you have any queries on immigration.
Authors
Nimmi Patel
Nimmi Patel is the Head of Skills, Talent and Diversity at techUK. She works on all things skills, education, and future of work policy, focusing on upskilling and retraining. Nimmi is also an Advisory Board member of Digital Futures at Work Research Centre (digit). The Centre research aims to increase understanding of how digital technologies are changing work and the implications for employers, workers, job seekers and governments.