On 3 October 2023, the UK's Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), an independent body that provides evidence-based advice to the government on migration issues, published its review of the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) and concluded, among other things, that the SOL should be abolished. The SOL is a feature of the existing Skilled Worker Visa route. It lists occupations where employers face a shortage of suitable labor and where the government considers it sensible to fill these shortages with foreign nationals. Organizations that employ individuals in positions included in the SOL may pay these employees 80% of the "going rate." The going rate helps protect resident workers from undercutting and reduces the potential exploitation of foreign nationals.
A Tax Alert prepared by EY's People Advisory Services group, and attached below, provides additional details.
