On 29 May 2025, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published its much-anticipated review on the use of the UK immigration system by professionals in IT and engineering. The report, Professionals in IT and Engineering, offers vital insights into how these sectors are engaging with international talent and highlights key recommendations to ensure the immigration system remains responsive and sustainable.
The review was originally commissioned in August 2024 but delayed to incorporate developments in the Government’s Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025. While the White Paper arguably reflects a political agenda, the MAC’s report is rooted in the practical realities of the UK labour market.
This Article provides a summary of the findings made in the MAC Report.
Key Takeaways from the MAC Report
1. Sustainable Use of the Immigration System
The MAC found that employers in the IT and engineering sectors are using the Skilled Worker route proportionately. While the majority of roles are filled by the domestic workforce, immigration plays a critical role in addressing specialist shortages—particularly in areas such as software engineering, cybersecurity, electrical engineering, and data science.
Engineering professionals currently account for 3% of all Skilled Worker visas, while IT professionals make up 9%. This level of international recruitment is not excessive but reflects the size and nature of the two sectors. Crucially, the report confirms that immigration is addressing genuine skills shortages and helping UK businesses access global talent, even as the majority of new hires remain domestic.
2. Positive Contribution from Skilled Migrants
Migrants working in these sectors make a strong net fiscal contribution to the UK, performing well above the average in tax contributions and employment outcomes. This reaffirms the importance of maintaining an accessible route for international professionals to work in the UK. The report confirms what many in the immigration and employment sectors already know: that immigration is used proportionately within these sectors and that migrant professionals make a positive fiscal contribution to the UK economy.
3. Challenges in the Domestic Pipeline- Concerns over Policy proposals in the White Paper
One of the key issues addressed is the Government’s proposal to link access to skilled migration with sector-specific investment plans. The MAC Report warns that this approach risks creating significant administrative burdens, enforcement difficulties, and the potential for some employers to benefit without contributing.
The report also highlighted the limitations of the domestic talent pipeline, noting that higher education providers struggle to scale up training due to funding constraints. As a result, overseas recruitment remains essential for meeting skills demand in both the short and medium term.
4. Position on Key Immigration Measures- Call for Reform
The MAC report makes several important observations on current immigration mechanisms.
Key recommendations include:
- Reviewing the Immigration Salary List to better reflect labour shortages. The MAC report supports its abolition, noting its minimal effect on IT and engineering roles.
- Immigration Skills Charge (ISC): Raises concerns over transparency and questions whether ISC revenue is effectively reinvested in training. The MAC calls for greater alignment between the funds raised and efforts to fill genuine skills shortages.
- Resident Labour Market Test – The MAC report recommends against reintroduction, citing its limited impact and high administrative costs.
While the White Paper arguably reflects a political agenda, the MAC’s report is rooted in the practical realities of the UK labour market.
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Looking Ahead
The MAC’s latest review offers a clear and balanced assessment of the role immigration plays in two critical sectors of the UK economy. It highlights the limitations of relying solely on skills policy to manage migration and cautions against politically driven reforms that may overlook the realities of workforce demand.
As the government considers the MAC’s recommendations, now is the time for employers in the IT and engineering sectors to evaluate their sponsorship strategies and ensure they are well-positioned to attract international talent.
Whether you are a start-up tech company scaling up operations or a multinational engineering firm, Clarkslegal’s specialist immigration team is here to guide you.
As ever, the key question remains: how will the Government respond?
How Clarkslegal Can Support Employers in IT and Engineering
At Clarkslegal LLP, we work with a wide range of businesses in the technology and engineering sectors, offering strategic immigration support to help them access and retain global talent. In light of the MAC’s latest report, we are uniquely placed to help employers navigate the current system and prepare for the potential reforms ahead.
Our Services Include:
- Skilled Worker Sponsorship
We assist employers in securing and maintaining Skilled Worker sponsor licences, advising on compliance, job suitability, salary thresholds, and visa applications.
- Strategic Workforce Planning
Our immigration lawyers work alongside HR and recruitment teams to develop long-term workforce strategies that align with immigration policy changes and sector demands.
- Salary Benchmarking & Role Mapping
In anticipation of changes to the Immigration Salary List, we help clients map roles to the appropriate SOC codes and advise on salary thresholds to ensure successful visa applications.
- Sponsor Compliance Audits & Training
Our proactive compliance services—including mock audits and training—support sponsors in meeting their ongoing duties and avoiding enforcement action from the Home Office.
- Sector-Specific Guidance
With deep experience in supporting clients in the engineering, tech, and life sciences sectors, we understand the challenges faced when recruiting internationally and can offer tailored solutions.
Our immigration lawyers are here to help. Please feel free to contact Ruth Karimatsenga via email at ruth.karimatsenga@clarkslegal.com or Monica Mastropasqua at monica.mastropasqua@clarkslegal.com.
