Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will review the Shortage Occupation List to ensure that the £35,000 earnings threshold for tier 2 visa holders does not lead to the loss of highly skilled teachers of subjects other than mathematics and science.

The Shortage Occupation List is based on expert advice from the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) and is reviewed regularly. The MAC’s recommendations are evidence-based and the list comprises skilled jobs where there is an identified national shortage which is sensible to fill, at least in part, through immigration. The Government is currently considering the MAC's future work programme, including commissioning a review of the Shortage Occupation List.