Shortage occupation list 2018: response to the Migration Advisory Committee's call for evidence

In June 2018, the government commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to carry out a full review of the composition of the shortage occupation list (SOL), to report in spring 2019. The MAC was asked to start the review of the SOL in the autumn to gain a better understanding of current labour shortages in the UK and the issues that surround these shortages.

Our response called for medical and scientist clinical pharmacology roles to be represented on the SOL, supporting our call with evidence of national shortages in the specialty and how facilitating recruitment from overseas would help address this. We cited the most recent ABPI skills survey, which indicates that clinical pharmacology remains a top priority in achieving an effective and comprehensive clinical service in the NHS, maintaining the attractiveness of the UK as a place to conduct national and international clinical research, and in the development of new medicines.

Read our response