Late on 29 November, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published a rapid review recommending that 21 occupations be added to the new Immigration Salary List (ISL), replacing the eight roles initially proposed when the Shortage Occupation List was retired. The ISL underpins discount salary thresholds for the Skilled Worker route, which now sets a headline salary floor of £41,700 for most new sponsorships.
New inclusions range from residential-care managers and welders to cybersecurity specialists and laboratory technicians. The MAC argues the expansion is essential because recent salary hikes risk pricing mid-skill roles out of sponsorship, hampering sectors such as social care, advanced manufacturing and digital security.
![Migration Advisory Committee Expands Immigration Salary List to 21 Shortage Occupations]()
For global-mobility and HR teams, the immediate task is to map affected headcount against the draft ISL: if an occupation gains ISL status, employers may apply a 20 per cent salary discount (down to £33,400) when issuing Certificates of Sponsorship after January 2026. Companies planning talent moves early next year should therefore revisit offer letters and ensure budgets align with the new salary matrix.
The government has 60 days to accept, amend or reject the MAC advice, but Home Office insiders signal that ministers are inclined to adopt the list in full to placate business lobbies ahead of the spring Budget. Employers should nevertheless prepare for possible tweaks, as seen during last year’s Skilled Worker overhaul.
Longer-term, the MAC hints that the ISL is a “temporary valve” while domestic training pipelines catch up. Mobility leaders should expect further volatility in shortage designations and build scenario planning into workforce strategies.
New inclusions range from residential-care managers and welders to cybersecurity specialists and laboratory technicians. The MAC argues the expansion is essential because recent salary hikes risk pricing mid-skill roles out of sponsorship, hampering sectors such as social care, advanced manufacturing and digital security.
For global-mobility and HR teams, the immediate task is to map affected headcount against the draft ISL: if an occupation gains ISL status, employers may apply a 20 per cent salary discount (down to £33,400) when issuing Certificates of Sponsorship after January 2026. Companies planning talent moves early next year should therefore revisit offer letters and ensure budgets align with the new salary matrix.
The government has 60 days to accept, amend or reject the MAC advice, but Home Office insiders signal that ministers are inclined to adopt the list in full to placate business lobbies ahead of the spring Budget. Employers should nevertheless prepare for possible tweaks, as seen during last year’s Skilled Worker overhaul.
Longer-term, the MAC hints that the ISL is a “temporary valve” while domestic training pipelines catch up. Mobility leaders should expect further volatility in shortage designations and build scenario planning into workforce strategies.
