RCUK welcomes recommendation to include informatics in the Shortage Occupation Lists

Research Councils UK (RCUK) welcomes the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) recommendation that both Informatician and Bio-informatician job titles should be included in the Shortage Occupation Lists for the UK.

This is a positive step forward for these key research skills to be recognised as skill shortages within the UK, and will support the Research Councils and the wider research community in attracting highly skilled international researchers to the UK. Inclusion on this list will mean that the usual ‘resident labour market test’ does not apply to these posts. This will enable employers to adopt a more effective and flexible recruitment strategy when trying to fill these strategically important posts.

The Committee highlighted the need for a more strategic, joined-up approach to resolve skills shortages within the STEM areas, encompassing the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), Sector Skills Councils, employers, representative bodies and the Department for Education.

The RCUK evidence was vital in highlighting the importance of these requirements and ensuring the inclusion of these occupations on the lists, and we will continue to monitor this. We work closely with the UK research community to identify current and emerging skills gaps and to ensure that the right support and investment goes into addressing them.

- ends -

Further information

Contact:
Katie Clark
Press and Communications Manager
Tel: 01793 444592 or email: Katie Clark

Notes to editors

1. RCUK’s submission to the MAC is available here.

2. The full MAC report is available on the UK Border Agency website.

3. Read the RCUK blog by Dr Sophie Laurie, Head of RCUK International, ‘The UK must not close its doors to skilled researchers’ here.

4. The Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE) recently wrote to Immigration Minister Mark Harper to make the case for protecting these vital immigration routes into the UK for key research staff, a letter to which RCUK gave our formal support. We therefore hope that the Government will maintain its valued commitment to research by making sure any changes to the shortage occupation list do not have an adverse effect on the UK.

5. Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils who annually invest around £3 billion in research. We support excellent research, as judged by peer review, that has an impact on the growth, prosperity and wellbeing of the UK. To maintain the UK’s global research position we offer a diverse range of funding opportunities, foster international collaborations and provide access to the best facilities and infrastructure around the world. We also support the training and career development of researchers and work with them to inspire young people and engage the wider public with research. To maximise the impact of research on economic growth and societal wellbeing we work in partnership with other research funders including the Technology Strategy Board, the UK Higher Education funding bodies, business, government, and charitable organisations. www.rcuk.ac.uk.

   The seven UK Research Councils are:

   • Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
   • Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
   • Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
   • Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
   • Medical Research Council (MRC);
   • Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
   • Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).