Brian Bell reappointed as chair of UK migration advisory committee

The British government has reappointed economist Brian Bell as chair of the United Kingdom’s migration advisory committee.

The King’s College London professor will continue in the role after first being installed on a permanent basis in June 2020.

Bell is a professor of economics at King’s Business School, and has previously worked at both the International Monetary Fund and the Bank of England. His research has focused on issues relating to wages and inequality, as well as the economics of crime. 

Recent areas of study include examining links between immigration and crime and the impact of unemployment when leaving school on subsequent criminal behavior.

The U.K. government’s migration advisory committee is an independent, non-departmental public body sponsored by the Home Office that advises the government on migration issues. It has advised the department on a new “points-based” migration regime that was introduced following Brexit.

Bell will serve in the chair role for a three-year term beginning Sept. 1.