Global menu

Our global pages

Close

New recommendations regarding the shortage occupation list

  • United Kingdom
  • Employment law
  • Global mobility and immigration

07-06-2019

The Migration Advisory Committee made recommendations to the Government on 29th May regarding which occupations should be added to Shortage Occupation List. The list confirms the types of jobs which are considered so hard to fill in the British economy that employers are exempted from advertising for resident applicants should they find a suitable candidate from outside the EEA and need to meet immigration requirements to sponsor the work. Advertising is a major practical barrier to employers making those applications, so this is important.

It is proposed to increase the Shortage Occupation List substantially, reflecting the contraction of the labour market following Brexit and low unemployment. New occupations are suggested for inclusion on the Shortage Occupation List which expand its coverage to 9% of the British labour market rather than the current 1%; those include various health, STEM and engineering roles, architects and, in some circumstances, skilled chefs. It is suggested that specific Shortage Occupation Lists for Wales and Northern Ireland may be helpful to employers. The Government is not obliged to accept these recommendations but has done so in the past.

The importance of the Shortage Occupation List after Brexit remains to be seen. The principal benefit of inclusion at the moment is the waiver of the advertising requirement but, since the Immigration White Paper currently under consideration recommends that should be ended in future with Certificates of Sponsorship allocated primarily based on salary, the future advantages of being included on the list are not clear. The recommendations do, however, appear generally positive news for those who issue Certificates of Sponsorship, particularly to those in the roles affected.

For more information contact

Audrey Elliott, Partner
Simon Kenny, Principal Associate

< Go back

Print Friendly and PDF
Subscribe to e-briefings
Print Friendly and PDF

© Eversheds Sutherland 2020. All rights reserved. Eversheds Sutherland is a global provider of legal and other services operating through various separate and distinct legal entities.

Eversheds Sutherland is the name and brand under which the members of Eversheds Sutherland Limited (Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP and Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP) and their respective controlled, managed and affiliated firms and the members of Eversheds Sutherland (Europe) Limited (each an "Eversheds Sutherland Entity" and together the "Eversheds Sutherland Entities") provide legal or other services to clients around the world. Eversheds Sutherland Entities are constituted and regulated in accordance with relevant local regulatory and legal requirements and operate in accordance with their locally registered names. The use of the name Eversheds Sutherland, is for description purposes only and does not imply that the Eversheds Sutherland Entities are in a partnership or are part of a global LLP. The responsibility for the provision of services to the client is defined in the terms of engagement between the instructed firm and the client.