(9 September 2008)

A strict new list of shortage jobs which targets migration better at the needs of British businesses, while reinforcing the selective approach of the new Australian-style points based system, was presented to the Home Office today. The recommended shortage occupation list sees the number of individual positions open to migrants reduced by 30%. Indian restaurant owners will be pleased to learn the skilled chefs are included on the shortage list.

The Home Office tasked the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to produce the recommended shortage list, which follows the most comprehensive study of its kind ever conducted anywhere in the world. It reduces the number of jobs open to migrants from one million to 700,000. The list also defines more tightly which positions cannot easily be filled by resident workers.

Border and Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said:"Our new Australian-style points system is flexible to meet the needs of British business while ensuring that only those we want and no more can come here to work. This tough new shortage occupation list supports that. "This strict list means 30% fewer jobs are available to migrants via the shortage occupation route.

"Those that do come will need to work hard, play by the rules and speak English."

The final shortage occupation list will be published by the Home Office next month ahead of the skilled worker tier of the points system - known as Tier 2 - coming on-line in November. Tier 2 will ensure that opportunities for British jobseekers are maintained by requiring companies to prove they cannot fill the post with a resident worker before recruiting from outside Europe. To get in under Tier 2 skilled foreign workers must have:

* a good grasp of English;

* prospective earnings of more than £24,000 or have a good qualification; and

* enough money to support themselves for the first month of their stay.

The MAC report recommends that sectors should develop training strategies and look beyond migration for new recruits, which directly supports the Government's aim to upskill the British workforce and ensure Britain remains a global leader in skills.

The full recommended UK list includes:

* consultants and senior nurses in particular healthcare specialisms;

* some engineering occupations, including civil and chemical engineers;

* quantity surveyors and project managers for property development and construction;

* secondary school teachers in the subjects of maths and science;

* skilled chefs;

* skilled senior care workers;

* ship and hovercraft officers; and

* some animal care occupations, including veterinary surgeons.

The recommended Scotland list includes all of the occupations on the UK list, as well as manual filleters of frozen fish, senior nurses in care of the elderly units, and speech and language therapists.