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
