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Migration Advisory Committee research

The Migration Advisory Committee

MAC research programme

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) operates its own research programme, which it uses to improve and broaden the existing evidence base on issues related to migration. In particular, the MAC seeks to commission research that it may use to help inform the advice and recommendations that it provides in response to future questions it may be asked by the government.

As well as carrying out its own in-house research, the MAC can use its limited research budget to commission research projects to external contractors through a process of open competition. Information on MAC research proposals, and how to be considered for MAC research contracts, is published on the Home Office Research Development Statistics website as and when it becomes available. If you would like to be kept informed of future MAC research proposals, please inform the MAC secretariat by sending an email to MAC@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.

Completed research projects are typically published on this website (please see links below). The MAC promotes wide dissemination of research and encourages its contractors to disseminate their findings further.

MAC Research Programme 2013/2014

MAC research project on the determinants of the composition of the labour force in low-skilled sectors of the UK economy - Expression of Interest

Expressions of interest are being sought to carry out a piece of research for the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), provisionally entitled The determinants of the composition of the labour force in low-skilled sectors of the UK economy.

The MAC is commissioning this research to further develop its understanding of the determinants of migrant labour in the low-skilled sectors of the UK economy.

More details can be obtained on the contracts finder website.

MAC Research Programme 2012/2013

During the financial year 2012/2013 the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) commissioned three research projects. These projects have now been completed and reports on the research are available at the links below:

Frontier Economics: Labour force composition in low-skilled sectors of the UK economy

The focus of this report is to provide an overview of the use of migrant labour in low-skilled sectors relative to other sectors of the economy. The study builds on and expands the existing evidence base through quantitative analysis, and looks at the composition of the low-skilled workforce over time, a comparison of the different groups employed, and the characteristics of low-skilled sectors.

Warwick Institute for Employment Research: Determinants of the composition of the workforce in low-skilled sectors of the UK economy

This report examines whether and why demand for migrant labour persists in low-skilled sectors of the UK economy, as well as the factors that affect the supply of labour to low-skilled sectors. The study provides a review of the literature and adopts a case study approach, focusing on low-skilled roles in the construction and accommodation and food services sectors.

National Institute for Economic and Social Research and The Migration Observatory: The Economic and Labour Market Impacts of Tier 1 entrepreneur and investor migrants

This report examines the economic impacts of entrepreneur and investor migrants who have come to the UK through the Tier 1 route since it was introduced in 2008. The research includes a review of existing research both in the UK and internationally, an examination of UK datasets, and new qualitative evidence through case study interviews with Tier 1 entrepreneurs and investors.

The views expressed in these reports are those of the contractors and not necessarily those of the MAC.