Shortages, high-demand occupations, and the post-Brexit UK immigration system

Abstract One of the key questions facing immigration policy-makers is which jobs should be eligible for work visas. This question has dominated discussions about post-Brexit system, focused in particular on issue shortages. While UK government resisted calls to open labour migration routes low-wage or low-skilled with high demand foreign workers, workers middle- and high-skilled that are deemed face a market shortage can qualify significantly lower wages. paper examines arguments against using policy prioritize ‘shortage occupations’. It argues idea politically appealing but problematic practice. Shortages more difficult measure satisfactorily than may imagine, different methodologies produce results. makes it unwise develop an depends too heavily notion list accurate reflection what really happening market.