Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Accepted
Committee took evidence on the Home Office’s Skilled Worker visa route management.
Conclusion
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Home Office on its management and operation of the Skilled Worker visa route.1
Government Response Summary
The government agrees, outlining that key sectors reliant on overseas recruitment must produce workforce strategies, and the MAC will only recommend occupations for the TSL if effective plans are in place. The MAC's work on the TSL is expected to conclude by July 2026, and LMEG is developing guidance for government sector experts to create these strategies.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. driven by particular sectors who have been forced to rely on overseas recruitment due to shortages linked to skills, training, and conditions here in the UK. The lack of a comprehensive workforce plan has limited the ability of sectors to address the underlying drivers of shortages. The IWP set out that key sectors, where there are high levels of overseas recruitment will need to produce, or update, workforce strategies which relevant employers will be expected to comply with. The MAC will recommend occupations be added to the TSL, only if they have an effective workforce plan in place. The MAC is working with other members of the LMEG develop and share evidence about the state of the workforce, training levels and participation by the domestic labour market, including at Devolved government and regional levels. It is focused on the eight Industrial Strategy sectors. It is expected the MAC will have almost concluded the second part of their current commission on the TSL by July 2026. In the context of the objectives of the industrial strategy, Immigration White Paper and TSL review, the LMEG is developing guidance for sector experts across government to develop workforce strategies where needed. These will likely focus on assessing the size of occupational shortages, diagnosing what is causing shortages, and the actions of government and employers to close shortages.