REC responds to Home Office shortage occupation list

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has responded to the Government's decision to adopt the Migration Advisory Committee's occupational shortage list by warning that positions in social care may become more difficult to fill as a result.

Applying for a job on the list will enable migrants to apply for positions under Tier 2 of the new Points Based System in order to fill occupations where there are skills shortages in the UK.

Commenting on the latest Home Office announcement, Tom Hadley, the RECís Director of External Relations says: The general principle of the Government taking the advice of an independent and evidence based Migration Advisory Committee is a sound one. Immigration is a highly politicised debate and it is crucial that migration policy is based on evidence and reflects the real needs of the UK labour market .

ìHowever, it is a major concern that care workers are not included on the list. This could result in staff shortages and ultimately impact on the level of care provided to some of the most vulnerable people in our society. ì

Hadley continued: ìIt is encouraging that the Home Office has taken the views of professional recruiters on board and has agreed to review whether social workers should be included on the occupational shortage list. We will continue to urge the Government to consider other occupations such as care workers and care assistants.

The REC sits on a number of Home Office Working Groups and Panels in order to take forward the views of recruiters in all sectors of the UK economy.

Tier 2 and Tier 5 which includes the Youth Mobility Scheme will come into effect on 27th November.