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See other news storiesNew advisory body for immigration system
29 November 2006
We want your opinions about what role the new Migration Advisory Committee should play in addressing immigration in the UK.
The government has launched a public consultation on the role of the new Migration Advisory Committee (new window).
There are various options for the role the Migration Advisory Committe may play - for example, it could be responsible for:
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compiling up-to-date information on immigration is affecting the labour market
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determining what skills the UK most needs
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finding ways to balance migration with the economy
We'd like your input to help us decide what's best.
We would also like to know who you think should serve on the committee - should it include representatives of the business world, local authorities, government officials, trade union groups or community leaders, for example?
The consultation is an early part of the government's plan to introduce a points-based immigration system by 2008, so the new committee will play an important role in determining how future immigration will work in the UK.
Opening up the debate
Immigration Minister Liam Byrne called for more public input and said, 'The MAC will generate a more open debate about the level of immigration that is good for Britain.'
He explained that the committee will look at balancing the numbers of low-skilled immigrants with those who are highly educated and others who have valuable talents or training that might be in short supply here. 'For some kinds of migration, such as low skilled labour, the debate is about the right limit, but for others we think the question is about how high the standards need to be for people to come and work here,' he explained.
Take part and be heard
The consultation invites your views on:
- whether the government needs an independent organisation to offer advice on migration
- if the MAC should take into account economic impacts when giving advice on immigration
- whether the MAC should provide advice on regional skills shortages as well as national shortages
The 10-week consultation will play a vital role in establishing just what the new committee will do, who will be a part of it, and what information it will provide. Once the consultation is complete, committee members will be appointed, and should begin work in April 2007.
Widespread support
Both the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the Confederation of British Industry praised plans for the new committee. TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said the MAC will help dispel anti-migrant myths. 'The best way to make the case for the positive role of migrant workers... is to ensure they get the same rights and respect that all workers deserve,' he said, adding, 'Migrant workers make a positive contribution to Britain's economy and society.'
The CBI's Deputy Director-General John Cridland agreed, saying, 'Migrant workers have brought huge benefits to the UK economy, and employers support the government's managed migration policy.'
Creating a points-based system
The new points-based system should simplify the requirements for new immigrants from 80 existing work and study routes into five tiers:
- tier 1 - highly skilled scientists and entrepreneurs
- tier 2 - skilled workers with a job offer, including nurses, teachers and engineers
- tier 3 - low-skilled workers filling temporary labour shortages, such as construction workers on a specific project
- tier 4 - students
- tier 5 - youth mobility and temporary workers, such as students on their gap year, or musicians or actors here for an event
For each tier, points will be awarded reflecting the person's aptitude, experience, age and the level of need in any particular employment sector.
