Consultation on new Migration Advisory Committee
Tony Millns , English UK Chief Executive and Tourism Alliance Chairman, attended a breakfast briefing this morning (Wednesday 29 November) with Home Secretary John Reid and Immigration Minister Liam Byrne to discuss the consultation launched today on a new Migration Advisory Committee.
Opening the meeting, attended by 10 major employers and business associations, the Home Secretary said that a key task of the MAC would be “to foster a more open and rational debate on what level of migration is right for Britain”.
The MAC would be a panel of independent expert advisors who would review the case for migration in the context of UK labour market trends and skills gaps. It would contribute an authoritative view on migration statistics which the Home Secretary acknowledged might be more likely to command public confidence than government figures do, and it would advise on issues such as the qualifications and skills standards (including English language) required by potential migrants in terms of the points they will need under the points-based system, due to be phased in from April 2008.
The consultation paper and response form can be accessed from the IND website, www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk - easiest to go to sitemap, then consultation documents, then current consultations. Deadline for responses is 31 January 2007. The intention is to have the new MAC members appointed by April 2007.
