Newsflash: FTV list pulled

The IT skills shortage list, operated by Work Permits UK, the Government agency that issues visas and work permits to fast track visa workers, has been removed.

A statement from Work Permits UK said: 'Work Permits (UK) has been working very closely with representatives on the ITCE sector panel to monitor the trends in the IT sector labour market.

'At the ITCE sector panel meeting held on 21 August, a variety of evidence and research regarding the current state of the IT labour market was considered. As a result, the Panel unanimously recommended that all occupations should be removed from the Work Permits (UK) IT shortage occupation list, and as such, there will no longer be a shortage list for the IT Sector.'

The Home Office has said it will review the work shortages situation in three months.

Philip Ross, who has been at the forefront of the campaign for the Professional Contractors Group and attended the meeting, said: "I'm pleased to hear the list has been removed, I've been working closely with the panel. It was good to develop an attitude of co-operation with the people from Work Permits UK and other members of the skills sector panel. I've collected evidence from freelancers to demonstrate these skills are not in short supply.

"It's excellent news that Work Permits and the Government have taken this information on board and acted to correct the situation.

"I would also like to offer my thanks to Gurdial Rai who sat on the panel with me."

UKTECH was the first news site to report on the announcement of the fast track visa system in October 2000 and will be following up with a detailed analysis of the campaign, written by Philip Ross.