- Round-up of Tuesday’s States Question Time
- Education Minister looking at a range of options on university funding
- Population policy needs a long-term vision of future
- Letter to sick staff criticised
INTRODUCING a loan system to help Island students to finance their university studies is still a possibility, the Education Minister says.
Earlier this year Deputy Rod Bryans said that student loans could be available from 2016, but a few weeks later went back on that, telling the States that it was unlikely that a system would be introduced.
However, during yesterday’s States sitting the minister said he was still considering introducing a loan system and that several other higher-education funding options were also being looked into as part of a review by his department.
Answering a question from Deputy Andrew Lewis about whether the financial implications of a loan system made it ‘too big an issue’ to consider, Deputy Bryans replied: ‘It is still on our agenda.
‘One of the problems we have is the transition between the grants that we now provide and consideration of a student loan.’
He added that his department had spoken to a number of groups and individuals about different funding options and that he had organised a workshop for Islanders to air their views on the subject at the end of the month.
‘We feel that the middle-earners of this Island are under pressure,’ he said.
‘We have heard from the student support lobbyists, we have heard from students themselves, we have heard from teachers and we must continue that progress.
‘As the Treasury Minister has said, we will bring back all our findings in September.’
- Three States Members were absent from yesterdays sitting.
- Constable Michael Paddock and Deputies Richard Rondel and Mike Higgins were absent through illness.
- Deputy Bailiff Tim Le Cocq was presiding.
Later, answering a question from Deputy Montfort Tadier about whether a progressive tax system could be used to generate money for student grants, the minister said that it was important that all areas were looked into.
The minister added that as part of the review, he was also looking at increasing the number of degree options available at Highlands College, which currently stands at 14.
Population policy needs a long-term vision of future
A POPULATION policy cannot be created before the Island sets out its long-term vision for the future, according to the Assistant Chief Minister.
States Members are due to discuss the population in September, but Senator Paul Routier, who is responsible for the population policy, which is administered by the Control of Housing and Work Law, yesterday faced criticism that autumn talks would be too late.
Currently the Island’s target for annual net immigration – the difference between the number of people moving to and leaving Jersey – is 325 people a year.
However, a recent population report showed how this figure had been repeatedly missed in recent years, with the actual immigration figures recorded as double the States’ goal.
During States Questions Deputy Judy Martin asked how departments could plan for their services and spending without having an overall population target.
Senator Routier said: ‘Having focused on the delivery of the Strategic Plan and associated Medium-Term Financial Plan within the time limits set by the States, the Council of Ministers are now able to turn to the development of the new long-term Island vision.
‘As a community, we need to understand where we are now.
‘This requires broad-ranging consultation across the community.
‘Our Strategic Plan identifies, for example, how health, productivity and skills are key population policy levers.
‘Developing a population policy before the long-term vision for the Island would put the cart before the horse.’
During questioning, Deputy Montfort Tadier asked why the States simply did not double their target for immigration in order to be able to say they were meeting their goals.
However, Senator Routier said that a better approach was to decide what kind of Island and environment people wanted and to tailor a population policy accordingly.
In a final question on the topic, Deputy Martin asked whether Senator Routier would admit that a ‘proper’ population policy was needed.
He said: ‘What’s being missed is the fact that the Control of Housing and Work Law has been working.
‘We have been refusing licenses. We refused 325 applications last year.
‘It does work, it does stop businesses employing people, but there is a balance to be struck.’
SAFETY railings could be erected on the pavement in St Saviour near Plat Douet Primary School following concerns from a parish Deputy.
The Transport Minister, Eddie Noel, said that he would consider putting railings on the pavement at the junction of Bagot Road and Georgetown Road for the safety of children and other pedestrians following a question from Deputy Peter McLinton yesterday.
Deputy Noel added that the temporary traffic light system which was due to be installed in Longueville Road, after requests from the Constable of St Saviour and the parish Deputies, would cost £29,000 for a trial period and £120,000 for a permanent fixture.
The minister said that this cost would be about a quarter of the overall annual budget for the parish and would not offer good value for money.
He added that alternative methods of controlling the speed of cars and traffic were now being looked at.
Letter to sick staff criticised
A WARNING letter allegedly sent to sick public-sector employees has been criticised by a Deputy who has called for the Chief Minister to investigate its impact and the States’ attitude on managing staff absence.
St Saviour Deputy Louise Doublet asked the Chief Minister yesterday whether he was aware of a template letter regarding staff absences that had been distributed to chief officers in States departments.
She claimed that the letter threatens staff who have high absenteeism with ‘an escalation into formal absence management procedures’ and asked the minister whether he thought that this was the best way to help sick employees back to work.
The Chief Minster said that he did not have a copy of the letter in question but did have a letter which is sent to employees in the Education Department explaining how they were planning to manage sickness in a better way.
‘We have to be compassionate and considerate and do all we can to help people who are suffering from illness,’ said Senator Gorst.
‘But we have to remember that if we are working for the government of Jersey, we are there to serve the public of Jersey – that is our priority.
‘Ultimately the services we are providing for the government are for the benefit of our community.’
Last month the union Unite alleged that the States were ‘bullying and harassing’ civil servants over sick leave in a bid to reduce staff.
The union said that 400 staff were being ‘actively managed’ over their level of absence.
Deputy Doublet asked the Chief Minister to investigate the letter and its impact.
She suggested that the States should undertake a more compassionate approach and pointed out that in many cases, long-term absences could be caused by serious illnesses.
Senator Gorst said: ‘A balance needs to be struck between employees suffering such illnesses and those individuals who are acting inappropriately.
‘Serious illness could happen to anyone and it is up to the employer to deal with it fairly.’
JERSEY’S child care policy has been questioned following a recent incident when a toddler was found unconscious in Coronation Park paddling pool after allegedly being left unattended by his au pair.
Deputy Jackie Hilton asked Home Affairs Minister Kristina Moore if she endorsed the Child Care Trust’s view that it is unacceptable for au pairs to be expected to provide sole child care for babies or young children and that it is their role to support the main carer.
Deputy Moore confirmed that the case, which involved a boy aged two who was taken to hospital but later discharged, was being investigated by the States police, but said that commenting on child care was not within her area of responsibility.
