The government has delivered on its manifesto promise to strengthen the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).
The government has delivered on its manifesto promise to strengthen the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), a key component of the new joined-up approach to reduce net migration.
In changes confirmed by the MAC today (Tuesday 17 December), from January 2025, Professor Brian Bell will take on his role as Chair of the Migration Advisory Committee on a full-time basis, from his current two days a week, until the end of his term in 2026. Dr Madeleine Sumption will take on a new role as Deputy Chair for an initial 12 months, with her time working for the MAC increased to an average 1.5 days a week, up from her current two days per month.
Additional staff will also be deployed to the MAC, to work more strategically to forecast future trends, and continue to review and provide independent, evidence based recommendations on key areas of the immigration system.
Figures published by the ONS last month revealed net migration is four times higher than it was five years ago, driven by record levels of overseas recruitment. Delivering on the Plan for Change, the government has committed to restore order to the immigration system by linking our immigration, skills and visa systems to support the UK's domestic workforce, end reliance on overseas labour and boost economic growth.
The committee will also work closely, as part of the 'quad', with the newly formed Skills England, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Industrial Strategy Council to develop an evidence based approach to reduce international recruitment and ensure businesses are recruiting primarily from the homegrown workforce.
The strengthening of the MAC was confirmed in the organisation's annual report, which will now be considered in detail. As the Prime Minister has announced, the government will also introduce an Immigration white paper in 2025 setting out
