The UK’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has completed the second and final stage of its review of the Temporary Shortage List (TSL), recommending a significantly narrower list of occupations eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. The review could have important implications for employers recruiting workers into medium-skilled roles across manufacturing, construction, energy, technology, and other strategic sectors.
The recommendations follow immigration reforms introduced in July 2025 that raised the Skilled Worker skill threshold from RQF Level 3 (A-level equivalent) to RQF Level 6 (degree level). As a result, many occupations at RQF Levels 3-5 lost general eligibility for Skilled Worker sponsorship unless specifically included on the Temporary Shortage List.
What Is the Temporary Shortage List?
The TSL was introduced as a temporary mechanism allowing selected medium-skilled occupations to continue accessing the UK immigration system where they are considered critical to government priorities and face genuine labor shortages. The system was designed to support the UK’s Industrial Strategy while encouraging employers to invest in domestic workforce development through occupation-specific “Jobs Plans.”
To remain on the TSL, occupations must satisfy several criteria, including:
- Demonstrable evidence of labor shortages;
- Importance to the UK’s Industrial Strategy or critical infrastructure;
- Credible plans to increase domestic recruitment and training; and
- Appropriate safeguards against worker exploitation.
MAC Recommends Reducing the List to 28 Occupations
The MAC reviewed 82 occupations identified during the first stage of the process and ultimately recommended that only 28 occupations continue to receive access to the TSL. Notably, the Committee concluded that none of the submitted Jobs Plans were sufficiently robust to justify the standard three-year inclusion period. Instead, all recommended occupations would receive only 18 months of TSL access.
The 28 recommended occupations are concentrated in four key areas:
Advanced Manufacturing
Examples include:
- Electrical and electronics technicians
- Engineering technicians
- Welding trades
- Sheet metal workers
- Boat and ship builders and repairers
- Metal machining setters and operators
Clean Energy
Recommended occupations include:
- Planning, process and production technicians
- Metal plate workers, smiths and moulders
- Overhead line workers (through limited inclusion under electrical and electronic trades)
Digital and Technology
Examples include:
- Database administrators and web content technicians
- Data analysts
- Telecoms and network installers and repairers
Construction and Critical Infrastructure
Many construction-related occupations were recommended, including:
- Electricians
- Bricklayers
- Roofers
- Plumbers
- Carpenters and joiners
- Construction supervisors
- Building and civil engineering technicians
- CAD and architectural technicians
Many Professional and Office-Based Roles Excluded
The MAC recommended excluding several occupations that currently appear on the interim list or have historically relied on skilled worker sponsorship.
Notable occupations that were not recommended include:
- Marketing associate professionals
- Sales accounts and business development managers
- Financial and accounting technicians
- Business sales executives
- Business associate professionals
- Logistics managers
- Quality assurance technicians
- Laboratory technicians
The Committee found limited evidence of shortages in many of these occupations and concluded that the proposed domestic workforce strategies were insufficient to justify ongoing immigration access.
Creative Sector Faces Significant Changes
The review also delivered disappointing news for many creative sector occupations.
The MAC declined to recommend future TSL inclusion for broader occupations such as:
- Designers
- Artists
- Authors
- Actors
- Many creative professionals
However, the Committee recommended separate treatment for certain highly specialized performers.
Specifically, it proposed continued Skilled Worker access for:
- Skilled ballet dancers;
- Skilled contemporary dancers; and
- Skilled orchestral musicians meeting internationally recognized standards.
Jobs Plans Remain Central to Future Access
One of the most significant themes emerging from the review is the MAC’s strong emphasis on Jobs Plans.
The Committee repeatedly criticized plans for:
- Lacking occupation-specific detail;
- Failing to quantify expected workforce impacts;
- Relying heavily on general sector initiatives; and
- Not sufficiently linking workforce shortages to proposed solutions.
The MAC indicated that future TSL reviews are likely to apply even stricter scrutiny to these plans and warned that occupations receiving 18-month access will need to demonstrate meaningful progress before any extension is granted.
What Employers Should Do Now
The government has not yet confirmed whether it will accept the MAC’s recommendations. However, with the current TSL scheduled to expire on December 31, 2026, employers should begin preparing for potential changes now.
Organizations employing or planning to sponsor workers in RQF 3-5 occupations should consider:
- Reviewing sponsored populations in medium-skilled occupations;
- Accelerating sponsorship applications where appropriate before December 2026;
- Extending sponsorship periods where possible;
- Identifying alternative immigration routes for affected workers; and
- Monitoring government announcements regarding implementation of the MAC recommendations.
Employers in sectors such as professional services, finance, marketing, and business support functions may be particularly affected if occupations are ultimately removed from TSL eligibility.
Erickson Insights and Analysis
The MAC’s review reflects a clear policy shift toward tighter restrictions on medium-skilled migration and stronger expectations that employers invest in domestic workforce development. While strategic sectors such as advanced manufacturing, clean energy, infrastructure, and technology continue to receive some immigration support, many occupations that previously benefited from Skilled Worker sponsorship could lose access beginning in 2027.
The UK government is expected to announce its response in the coming months as the December 2026 TSL expiration date approaches.
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.