GOVERNMENT interim chief executive Andrew McLaughlin is under pressure to explain recent department-wide structural changes and their cost to taxpayers.
The Public Accounts Committee has sent a detailed letter to the Island’s most senior civil servant requesting information about restructuring moves across government.
Sent by PAC chair Deputy Inna Gardiner earlier this week, the letter follows a public hearing held on 12 February where several questions remained unanswered.
In the letter, she asks Dr McLaughlin to “specify the primary objectives for the changes between the two structures” after noting differences in organisational charts published on 11 February compared to earlier versions.
Of particular concern to the committee was the money spent on the restructuring, asking for details on “overall cost savings” and “any redundancy packages, consultancy fees or administrative expenses” paid during the reorganisation.
In addition, it has also requested information on any new positions created and their associated recruitment costs, as well as how restructuring costs compare to projected long-term savings.
The PAC is also examining changes to the Health and Social Care system, questioning whether further consultation will take place, who will be consulted and how feedback has been recorded.
Deputy Gardiner is also asking about the redistribution of communications staff into various departments, how many left their jobs and how much was spent on redundancy packages.
As the JEP reported at the time, the October cuts reportedly reduced the communications team to about half its previous size, with the central press office closing and at least 11 staff members either made redundant or moved to other positions.
These changes were expected to save over half a million pounds annually, after it emerged in 2023 that government spending on communications staff exceeded £2.4 million.
Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham had previously identified the Cabinet Office, communications department, and senior and middle management roles as areas for potential staffing reductions as part of efforts to control public-sector spending.
The PAC is also asking who has taken over responsibilities previously handled by the director of education, a position made redundant in late 2024.
This comes after it was announced that Seán O’Regan, the government’s chief education officer, would step down in 2025.
The committee wants clarification on which officers now oversee key functions such as the School Review Framework, professional standards and safeguarding.
Dr McLaughlin has until 11 March to respond to these questions, with both the letter and his response set to be published on the States Assembly website.
