Spring Budget: Good News for Construction Sector

In the Spring Budget the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced measures to tackle some of the existing skilled labour shortages within the construction sector.

In February 2023 the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) was commissioned to undertake a rapid assessment of the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) for both the construction and the hospitality sectors.

Unfortunately, the MAC findings did not recommend any additions to the SOL in relation to the hospitality sector, however in good news for the construction sector five roles were recommended to be added in relation to construction activities, and the government has accepted these recommendations in full.
The five roles below will be added to the SOL before the Government’s summer recess:

• 5312 (bricklayers and masons)
• 5313 (roofers, roof tilers and slaters)
• 5315 (carpenters and joiners)
• 5319 (construction and building trades not elsewhere classified)
• 5321 (plasterers)

Adding these five roles to the SOL means employers will benefit from reduced salary thresholds and application fees for these new additions to the shortage occupation roles.

The MAC will conclude a full review of the SOL later this year and will complete regular reviews in the future, to ensure the immigration system is more agile and responsive to business needs.

These plans will be an important part of the sector’s growth and success if the government are now prepared to move quickly and willingly to take on the ongoing recommendations from the construction sector.