THE government’s communications team costs almost £2.5 million a year to run, according to an Assistant Chief Minister.
Deputy Lucy Stephenson said the average salary within the Communications Directorate was £62,000.
Responding to an oral question from Deputy Rob Ward in the States this week, Deputy Stephenson said the team – which has annual staff costs of £2.46m – played a ‘crucial’ role in effective government communication, and helped reach both local and global audiences.
Deputy Ward drew comparisons between the average earnings in the Communications Directorate and teaching salaries that were singled out in a controversial government Facebook post, which said teachers earned £56,193 on average per year.
The comments from Assistant Chief Minister Andy Jehan, posted on social media accompanied by a number of ‘teacher strike facts’ about salaries, have been heavily criticised, with Chief Minister Kristina Moore ultimately apologising in the States this week for the post, which had ‘resulted in an unnecessary escalation in tensions’.
Schools were closed on Tuesday this week owing to strike action, with teachers protesting outside the States Assembly in the Royal Square.
Deputy Stephenson said she had ‘full confidence’ in the communications team, highlighting their ability to respond in critical situations, including establishing a helpline during devastating floods in Grands Vaux in January.
She pledged to monitor their performance.
