Yvette Cooper comments on MAC backing Labour’s proposal to scrap 20% wage discount for shortage occupations

Yvette Cooper MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, commenting on the Migration Advisory Committee backing Labour’s proposal to scrap the 20 per cent wage discount on the shortage occupation list, said:

“Labour has been calling on the government to scrap the 20 per cent wage discount on the shortage occupation list for months. The Conservatives built this incentive into the immigration system to reduce wages and recruit from overseas rather than training and paying the going rate here in the UK.

“We are glad the independent Migration Advisory Committee has today formally supported Labour’s proposal.

“Rishi Sunak must now stop dithering, and support Labour’s proposal.”

Ends

Notes:

• The MAC’s review into the Shortage Occupation List can be found here – Review of the Shortage Occupation List (publishing.service.gov.uk)
• Its first recommendation is as follows:
  • “We recommend that the SOL going rate discount should be removed and that all occupations on a national pay scale, alongside those where the going rate exceeds the general threshold, be made ineligible for the SOL”.
• In May, Labour pledged to scrap the SOL going rate discount to boost training and ensure employers paid the going rate here in the UK:
  • Labour to tackle immigration by ending foreign workers’ lower pay | Financial Times (ft.com)