February 2026 Migration Advisory Committee meeting minutes
Published 12 May 2026
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Migration Advisory Committee
2nd Floor, Peel Building NE
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
195th meeting of Migration Advisory Committee: minutes
Friday 20th February 2026, 11:00 – 14:00
In-person conference
Attending
Professor Brian Bell
Professor Dina Kiwan
Professor Sergi Pardos-Prado
Dr Madeleine Sumption
Professor Jo Swaffield
Holly White
Claire Smith
MAC Secretariat
Agenda Item 1 – Welcome and introductions
Brian Bell opened the meeting and welcomed the attendees, as well as welcoming a new member of the Secretariat to the team.
The Committee paid tribute to Sir David Metcalf, reflecting on his extensive contributions to public service and his pivotal role as the first Chair of the MAC.
Agenda Item 2 – Committee and SMT discussion
The Committee discussed their reflections on past projects and discussed future planning for the MAC to inform upcoming work.
Agenda Item 3 – Home Office, MAC Secretariat and MAC updates
Claire Smith from the Home Office provided an update on the upcoming March immigration rules, Global Talent commission and settlement consultations.
Holly White provided an update on MAC workstreams, including work on the Temporary Shortage List (TSL), as well as projects agreed upon in the last committee meeting on 19th December 2025. There was no committee meeting held in January.
Agenda item 4 – Talent routes teach in
Brian welcomed a policy team from the Home Office to present a teach in session to the Secretariat. The session focussed on Global Talent and Innovator Founder routes, looking at the rationale of the routes, how the routes work, and recent and future changes to visa rules. Brian thanked them for their presentation and for addressing questions.
Agenda item 5 – Talent Review
The Committee reviewed the approach for the upcoming Global Talent Commission, agreeing on the routes under assessment, research questions, and engagement plans.
Agenda item 6 – Data Improvements
The Committee discussed liaising with the Home Office about data improvements.
Agenda item 7 – Temporary Shortage List review: update
Members from the Secretariat summarised evidence that was received from employers on jobs plans for TSL access, as well as the approach for choosing which occupations will be granted access, and outlining future activities for following committee meetings.
The Committee discussed the occupations under consideration, workstream deadlines, and how to approach with other government departments.
Agenda Item 8 – Migrant Journey: update
Members from the Secretariat gave an update on data linking for the migrant journey workstream, its results, as well as outlining the aim to publish the results. Next steps were also discussed, including ideas for further analysis.
Members from the Secretariat answered questions from the Committee on scoping, research questions, and how the data linking works.
Agenda Item 9 – Youth Mobility Scheme: scoping
The Committee discussed research questions to be taken forward and analytical approaches.
Agenda Item 10 – AOB
It was Brian Bell’s final MAC meeting after 8 years on the Committee and 6 years as Chair, before he moves to HM Treasury as the Chief Economic Adviser. The Committee thanked Brian for his leadership, expertise and dedication.