Home Office announces

Chair of

Migration Advisory Committee

by Charles Kelly

23 September 2007

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Home Office Press Release:

The Home Secretary committed to placing independent advice at the heart of immigration decisions today as she announced that Professor David Metcalf has been appointed as the Chair of the new Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).

The MAC will provide evidence to ministers on where the economy needs migration and where it does not. The MAC will influence how many points a migrant needs to come Britain when the new points system is introduced in the New Year. The MAC will provide evidence-based advice to government, specifically advising on which occupations should be defined as shortage occupations. The MAC’s recommendations will be made public.

The MAC's creation, along with that of the Migration Impacts Forum (MIF), recognises that migration contributes to the economy, but can also create an impact on communities.

David Metcalf, Professor of Industrial Relations at the London School of Economics, will take up his post immediately. He has worked extensively on the economic impact of unions and on pay systems and structures. He was also a highly-valued member of the Low Pay Commission, the body which advises Government on the National Minimum Wage.

Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said:

"The Migration Advisory Committee gives Government and the public independent advice on where we need migration and where we don’t. That's the advice we'll need when we introduce our Points System in the New Year as part of our sweeping overhaul of the immigration system.

"I’m delighted that Professor David Metcalf, whose experience and skills make him ideal for this position, has been appointed as its chair.

"The Points Based System will make sure that only those that Britain needs can come to work or study. Alongside the MAC, the Migration Impacts Forum will help make sure we assess impacts on public services as part of the system."

End of Statement

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Comment

Immigration Matters welcomes this announcement and congratulates Professor Metcalf on his new appointment.

We hope that the MAC will recognise the needs of employers in certain sectors like the Health Care industry, which is still forced to recruit from overseas to make up staff shortages.

If you need advice on Immigration, please email Charles Kelly

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk

For all the latest Immigration News see

www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

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