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The Migration Advisory Committee

This section describes the work of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).

The information in this section is produced by the MAC's Secretariat. The Secretariat is independent of the UK Border Agency.

Following the formation of the new UK government in May 2010, parts of this section have been archived. To view the section as it appeared prior to May 2010, visit the UK government web archive. Further information will appear here when the MAC's future remit has been set out by the new government.

MAC reports on London weighting (24 August 2010)

In March 2010, the previous UK government asked the MAC to report on whether London weighting should be excluded from the points-based system to ensure that regional wage differences across the UK were appropriately reflected in the points allocated to earnings.

London weighting is paid by some employers as a supplement to basic salary, to reflect a job's London location. Tiers 1 and 2 of the points-based system award points for previous or prospective salary. Additions to pay labelled as London weighting are currently included within that points calculation.

The MAC report advises that it is appropriate to continue regarding London weighting as part of the earnings for the purposes of the points-based system.

MAC launches consultation on level of first annual limit on economic migration (30 June 2010)

The MAC has launched a consultation on the level of the first annual limit on economic migration to the UK by nationals of countries outside the European Union.

The consultation will look at on the levels at which the limits should be set for the first full year of their operation. The MAC will consult on and consider the economic, social and public service impacts of migration in developing its advice.

The MAC consultation will run until 7 September 2010, alongside the government's consultation on how the limits should be implemented (see below).

MAC asked to advise on first annual limit on economic immigration (29 June 2010)

On 28 June 2010, the government announced a consultation on limits on economic migration by nationals of countries outside the European Union, through Tiers 1 and 2 of the points-based system. It is consulting on how these limits should be implemented, including the mechanism for doing so.

At the same time the Home Secretary wrote to the MAC Chair commissioning the following question of the MAC:

"At what level should limits on Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the point-based system be set for their first full year of operation in 2011/12, in order to contribute to achieving the government's aim of reducing net migration to an annual level of tens of thousands by the end of this Parliament, and taking into account social and public service impacts as well as economic impacts?"

The government has asked the committee to provide this advice by the end of September.

The MAC intends to consult in detail with business and other interested groups in developing its advice, and will launch its own consultation shortly.

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