Plans for migrants to face criminal record checks

While it is too early to say how such a scheme would function – or how it would be paid for – it is understood that it would be linked directly to the right to work.

Politicians would also have to approve its introduction as part of a new population policy due to be lodged by the Chief Minister within weeks.

Deputy Jackie Hilton, who has called for such checks for new arrivals for more than a decade, welcomed the news.

And the Deputy said she would support new arrivals footing the bill for the checks via an increase in the cost of their registration cards. Currently such cards, without which new migrants cannot work in Jersey, cost £75, rising to £80 from July.

‘Introducing criminal record checks for new arrivals has been a long time coming,’ she said.

‘And personally I believe if somebody wants to move to Jersey to work, why should they not have to pay for the privilege?’.

The introduction of criminal record checks is one of a number of measures currently being considered by ministers as they prepare to lodge a population policy with the States before the summer recess. A debate is then likely to take place in the autumn.

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