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Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Northover (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 26 April 2011.

Visas

Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Neville-Jones on 21 March (WA 128–31), why 1,100 actors, entertainers, dancers, choreographers and musicians from Colombia, Cuba, Jamaica and Venezuela, in standard occupational classification categories 3413–5, were assigned certificates of sponsorship in 2010; and what are the skill shortages in the United Kingdom in those occupations allowing this.
Answer

Certificates of Sponsorship (CoSs) are allocated to licensed sponsors by the UK Border Agency Sponsor Licensing Unit. This allocation is based on a justifiable figure provided by the sponsor as part of their licensing application. The CoSs must be assigned in accordance with published policy, the codes of practice and, where applicable, the Shortage Occupation List. The Shortage Occupation List is produced by the Migration Advisory Committee. a non-departmental public body sponsored by the UK Border Agency. The list is produced following a review of the labour market, analysis of available data on migration trends and consultation exercises with businesses in specific sectors and other government departments. Information on the types of occupation in standard occupational classification categories 3413, 3414 and 3415 which are included in the Skills Shortage List is included in the following table:

SOC Code and Employment Type Occupations included in Shortage Occupation List
Musicians (3413) None
Dancers and Choreographers (3414) Skilled classical ballet dancers who meet the standard required by internationally recognised UK ballet companies […]
Skilled contemporary dancers who meet the standard required by internationally recognised UK contemporary dance companies […]
Musicians (3415) Skilled orchestral musicians who meet the standard required by internationally recognised companies […]

Companies and individuals wishing to bring professional entertainers from outside the European Economic Area to the UK for performances must seek CoSs for the participating professionals. The CoSs are issued to cover only the period the professionals need to remain in the UK for the performances.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
8120; 727 c111-2WA
Session
2010-12
Related items
Visas
Monday, 21 March 2011
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
Immigration controls Immigration Entertainers Musicians Performing arts Vacancies Sponsorship Colombia Cuba Venezuela Jamaica Actors
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk