Question reference: S6W-09731
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 12 July 2022
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Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 3 August 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what roles it has suggested or requested that the Migration Advisory Committee add to the Shortage Occupation List, and when any such suggestions or requests were made.
Answer
Scottish Ministers cannot commission the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to consider changes to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL).
The Scottish Government responded to recent reviews of the SOL with detailed evidence on labour market shortages and how the SOL could more suitably meet Scotland’s distinct needs. We also provided evidence calling for the permanent addition of social care roles to the SOL with key roles subsequently added to the List as per the MAC’s recommendation.
Scotland has distinct population challenges, the January NRS population projections reinforce the need for a migration policy tailored to our needs. We remain dependant on a UK Government immigration system that fails to address Scotland’s distinct demographic, labour market and economic challenges. We need a responsive system that allows us to decide how to accommodate our distinct labour market needs.
Given the changes to the UK immigration system, the role of the SOL must be reviewed so that there is clarity as to its purpose and benefits. The Scottish Government must also be given a formal role in determining occupational shortages in Scotland.