A tough economic climate has left many feeling that work opportunities abroad are few and far between. But according to the latest moves by the Migration Advisory Committee, while some skills need to be removed from the list of those in demand, others should be added. A whopping 530,000 jobs in the UK still need to be filled from highly skilled workers.

The migration committee which serves as the UK government’s key advisor on immigration says professions in line of orchestral musicians, computer animators and dancers should be considered in-demand professions.

Professor David Metcalfe, Chair of the Committee, says his team has “looked critically at the evidence regarding the occupations under review and made recommendations which balance the needs of the UK workforce against those of employers”.

Revising medical and health related occupations and the criteria by which care assistants, home carers and chefs are defined as skilled also stands on the Migration Advisory Committee’s agenda.

"It is important to note that some shortages of skilled labour will still exist in a recession,” says Metcalfe.

“This can be where there is a long-term structural shortage of skilled workers, where workers provide key public services, or in areas such as culture where the United Kingdom needs to maintain global leadership,” he added.

The recommended changes will only apply to Tier 2 employer sponsorship of the points based system (PBS). UK immigration will announce decisions based on the Migration Advisory Committee‘s recommendations at a later date.