A total of 20 employees, plus 19 consultants, are currently working from the UK, with the figures revealed in the answer to a written States question by Senator Kristina Moore.
Senator Moore said although she accepted that there were occasions when outside expertise was needed, she had raised the issue as a result of concerns about the influence of people based outside Jersey on key issues facing the Island.
‘I think it’s a fair assumption that these people are quite senior, probably ranked in the top three tiers of the civil service, and may be shaping policies which can impact upon the lives of Islanders,’ she said. ‘They are doing this without having the grass-roots understanding of life in the Island, or the same commitment to it as people who live here.
‘It’s not a question of having generations of your family’s history in Jersey,’ she said. ‘Most public servants are very motivated to serve the public and have a deep-rooted interest in Jersey, and I’d question whether those not based here have the same level of commitment.’
Senator Moore said that money earned by employees and consultants should go back into the local economy, which would not be the case for anyone based in the UK.
The original answer to the question was ruled out of order by the Bailiff at this week’s States sitting as it only dealt with consultants, prompting a revised answer that also included details regarding employees, as requested by Senator Moore.
A total of 30 consultants are currently engaged: eight Jersey residents and 22 UK residents, of whom three are currently based in the Island while 19 are working from the UK.
The 20 employees work across a range of seven different departments within the government.
Senator Moore said she was concerned that the initial answer had not fully addressed her question.
‘I was told the initial question had been misinterpreted, but I don’t accept that – it seemed like an attempt to avoid giving the whole picture,’ she said.
‘People feel that there isn’t honest
engagement from government and
this breeds cynicism and a lack of confidence.’
