United Kingdom: Construction Sector Occupations Added to the Shortage Occupation List

Upon recommendation of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), the UK government has added the following occupations to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) on an interim basis: bricklayers and masons; roofers; roof tilers and slaters; carpenters and joiners (those working with timber to create structures); construction and building trades not elsewhere classified; and plasterers. As a result, employers will be able to pay workers falling under these categories 20% less than the mandatory minimum salary for sponsorship, but the workers will still be required to satisfy an English language requirement. The interim recommendations made by the MAC will be reconsidered and finalised as part of  MAC's full review of the SOL expected around September-November 2023.