Data Analysts 2026: The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has recommended 28 jobs to be added to the government’s new Temporary Shortage List (TSL) for an initial 18 months, down from the 52 first suggested. The deletion of human resources positions from the proposed list is recommended.
The suggestions, issued yesterday (23 July) as stage two of the MAC’s evaluation of the TSL, cut the number of eligible occupations from the 52 on the interim list now. It is not clear whether the government will accept the recommendations and what transitional arrangements will be made.
The TSL is intended to let employers to maintain their ability to sponsor workers in certain Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 3-5 roles via the Skilled Worker route, despite immigration changes limiting sponsorships for most roles below degree level.
Of the 28 jobs recommended for inclusion, 20 already are on the interim list, eight are new entries. This includes jobs in data analysis, digital infrastructure, engineering and manufacturing technical jobs, and building and manufacturing trades.
Recommended roles for the axe include business sales, HR, legal, advertising and marketing and creative roles such as authors, writers and photographers.
The MAC said no occupation had made out a sufficiently compelling case for the regular three-year period of inclusion. However, the list would be open to all recommended jobs from January 2027 to June 2028, giving industries time to build up their manpower strategies ahead of the next review.
The committee considered occupations against four criteria: proof of labour shortages; the credibility of initiatives to boost involvement of the domestic workforce; the management of exploitation concerns; and if ongoing access to migration was an appropriate response. There was often a dearth of information on how industries will improve domestic recruitment.
The report said the recommendations were in line with the government’s aim of connecting migration policy more closely to domestic skills policy. It said the occupations considered for inclusion presently accounted for around 4,000 visas a year, meaning the measures would lead to only a very slight drop in migration if accepted.
Louise Haycock, partner at global immigration advisers Fragomen, said the report showed “quite how strongly the MAC have stuck to their brief”.
“Sectors will need to make a clear case for being part of the industrial strategy or critical infrastructure and have detailed and viable workforce plans,” she added. “This may come as a wake-up call to enterprises who may realise that junior roles may no longer be able to be sponsored.
She also encouraged governments to set out transitional measures should the suggestions be accepted, pointing out that companies would require clarity on workers already sponsored under existing rules.
The committee stated this was the first review of the new system and a realistic approach had been taken so as not to deny manpower to important sectors. It said it wanted more robust evidence ahead of the next complete review of the Temporary Shortage List, which is due in about three years’ time.
Candidate list of short-term shortages
- Electrical and electronics engineers
- Engineering technologists
- Sheet metal workers
- Machinists and setter-operators of machining
- Metal production and maintenance fitters
- Welding Occupations
- Builders and repairers of boats and ships
- Process, planning and production technicians
- Workers in Metal Plates, Smiths, Moulders and Kindred Callings
- Electrical/electronic trades
- Web content technicians and database administrators
- Data analysts
- Telecoms and related network installers and repairers
- Civil engineering and building technicians
- Ships and hovercraft officers
- Pipefitter
- Electrical fitters and electricians
- MASON
- Roofers, roof tilers and slaters
- Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters and contractors and mechanics and repairmen
- Joiners and carpenters
- Building and construction trades
- Masons and Plasterers
- Floorers and tilers of walls
- Paperhangers and painters
- Supervisors, construction and building trades
- Chemical and associated process operatives
- CAD, drafter and building technicians
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is an independent non-departmental public organization sponsored by the Home Office. It is now chaired by Dr Madeleine Sumption (interim) and also has a deputy chair, three other independent members and a Home Office ex officio member. The committee’s work is supported by a permanent secretariat of roughly 30 civil workers comprising economists, social researchers, statisticians, policy specialists and business support professionals.
The temporary shortage list replaced the immigrant salary list issued by the previous Conservative government earlier this year. The wage list replaced the list of shortage occupations, which was established in 2008.