Positive Signals for Skilled Workers in IT & Engineering: From 29th May 2025 MAC Report

The 29th May 2025 report, commissioned by the Home Secretary, delivers a clear and reassuring message: Skilled migration in these sectors is well-regulated, proportionate, and economically beneficial. It also affirms that no major changes are needed—just refinement.

If you’re a Skilled Worker in these sectors—or an employer relying on international recruitment—this report offers clarity, balance, and reassurance.

Let’s break down the most encouraging takeaways:

UK Still Values Global Talent in IT & Engineering

The MAC’s findings are clear: the UK is not “closing the door” on skilled professionals—it’s refining the system to ensure quality and sustainability.

• IT and Engineering sectors are not reliant on migration, but use it strategically to fill genuine gaps.

• The system allows access to top-tier talent, often filling roles requiring niche or emerging skills not yet available at scale in the domestic market.

• Immigration routes like the Skilled Worker visa and Global Business Mobility route are seen as support mechanisms, not threats, to the UK workforce.

• Global competition for skilled professionals is rising, and the UK is positioning itself to stay competitive through balanced and evidence-driven policy.

Migrant Professionals Make a Strong Economic Contribution

The data reinforces what many in the industry already know: skilled migrants give more than they take.

• They pay higher-than-average taxes and have lower dependency on public services and benefits.

• Most skilled workers in IT and Engineering earn well above the national median, contributing positively to national productivity and innovation.

• The MAC projects that these professionals will continue to deliver long-term fiscal benefits, especially given their age profile (mostly 26–35) and career longevity.

• Employers report that these hires bring cutting-edge knowledge, helping to upskill UK teams and raise overall sector performance.

No Recommendations for Reduction – Just Common Sense Caution

One of the most reassuring aspects of the report: no recommendations were made to cut visa numbers or impose new restrictions for these occupations.

• The MAC stressed that making decisions based on just two sectors would be premature and unwise.

• It instead recommended a review of salary thresholds—with emphasis on regional balance and affordability for SMEs.

• The Committee acknowledged the diversity of employer needs, from startups to multinationals, and called for more nuanced, data-driven policymaking.

• It supports abolishing the Immigration Salary List (ISL), which offers little benefit to highly paid professionals already above salary thresholds.

Immigration Is a Long-Term Lever, Not a Short-Term Fix

The MAC reinforces that skills pipelines take time to build—often years.

• Immigration fills essential gaps while domestic education and training systems catch up.

• In IT especially, the pace of change (AI, cybersecurity, data science) means demand often outpaces supply.

• Without immigration, the UK risks losing out on global competitiveness, slowing innovation and project delivery.

• The report makes it clear: immigration is not a failure of skills policy—it’s part of a modern economy’s flexibility and resilience strategy.

Skilled Workers Are Not Driving High Net Migration

Despite headlines, IT and Engineering professionals are not the cause of rising migration figures.

• Skilled Workers in IT account for only 3–4% of long-term net migration; Engineers account for just 1%.

• For comparison, health and care roles (like nursing) contribute much larger shares, up to 9%.

• The vast majority of new hires in both sectors are still UK residents—visa holders only fill about 6–7% of roles annually.

• This means that even with continued visa issuance, net migration numbers would not be significantly impacted by these sectors alone.

A Talent-Friendly Outlook for the Future

The MAC signals that future reforms will be collaborative and evidence-based, not abrupt or politically reactive.

• The UK Government is aligning immigration with skills and industrial strategy, ensuring long-term talent sustainability.

• Key routes like Global Talent, Graduate visas, and Skilled Worker remain crucial to growth plans in AI, engineering, and digital transformation.

• The MAC acknowledges that UK universities, SMEs, and tech firms depend on international talent to compete globally.

• The report advocates using visa policy as a precision tool—encouraging high-value hires, not blocking them.

In the wake of policy uncertainty, the MAC’s May 2025 report brings clarity, confidence, and common sense.

• It confirms the UK’s commitment to attracting and retaining top talent
• It recognises that international workers fuel innovation, productivity, and growth
• And it urges the government to act on evidence, not emotion

If you’re a skilled worker in IT or Engineering—or a UK business sponsoring such professionals—this report tells you what you need to hear:

You can download the full 101 report here