MINISTERS spent almost £60,000 on travel last year, according to newly published government data – with the External Relations Minister racking up more than half of the total bill.
The figures, published yesterday as part of a move towards greater transparency, detail the costs of trips taken by ministers and assistant ministers between February and December 2024.
These included visits for international meetings, political conferences and talks with UK and EU officials.
Deputy Gorst’s three trips to the United States cost taxpayers almost £19,000 – with his October visit to a banking meeting topping a list of the most expensive trips at £7,569.
In total, Deputy Gorst spent £31,060 of taxpayer money on travel – far more than any other minister and 54% of all such spending during the ten-month period.
International Development Minister Carolyn Labey was the second-highest spender, at £7,510, followed by Treasury Minister Elaine Millar (£7,245).
The United States was the most expensive destination overall, with travel costing nearly £23,000. Trips to the UK came second at just over £19,000, while visits to the Gulf States and Europe each cost more than £6,000.
Who were the biggest spenders?
- External Relations Minister Ian Gorst: £31,060.32
- International Development Minister Carolyn Labey: £7,509.58
- Treasury Minister Elaine Millar: £7,244.92
- Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel: £4,157.41
- Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham: £3,548.93
- Housing Minister Sam Mézec: £1,748.94
- Children’s Minister Richard Vibert: 1,094.43
- Assistant External Relations Minister Moz Scott: £707.91
- Home Affairs Minister Mary Le Hegarat: £321.98
- Environment Minister Steve Luce: £247.98
The government has now promised to publish travel cost data every three months, as well as submitting a yearly report to the States Assembly.
Ministers have said they will continue to be “cautious” with public money and make sure travel costs are justified.
What were the most expensive trips?
- International Monetary Fund/World Bank Autumn Meeting (Deputy Gorst, US) – £7,568.57
- Tax and Financial Services meetings (Deputy Gorst, US) – £5,899.94
- International Monetary Fund/World Bank Spring Meeting (Deputy Gorst, US) – £5,366.32
- League of Municipalities Conference (Deputy Carolyn Labey, US) – £3,981.23
- Qatar Economic Forum (Deputy Elaine Millar, Doha) – £3,599.68
- Jersey Finance Women in Leadership Roadshow (Deputy Elaine Millar, Gulf States) – £3,276.96
- Engagements with High Commissioners and Ambassadors (Deputy Ian Gorst, London) – £1,786.93
- British Irish Council Summit – Housing (Deputy Sam Mézec, Belfast) – £1,748.94
- Labour Party Conference (Deputy Ian Gorst, Liverpool) – £1,258.98
- Meetings with French Ministers (Deputy Kirsten Morel, Paris) – £1125.76
The total travel expenditure recorded between February and December 2024 was £57,802, although the figures released do not include the cost of any additional government officers who may have accompanied States Members on the overseas trips.
What locations were the most expensive?
- USA: £22,816.06
- UK: £19,072.99
- Gulf States: £6,876.64
- Europe: £6,708.20
- Crown Dependencies: £2,328.49
These figures were published following calls for Ministers to make the costs of their meetings and trips public.
Former Chief Minister Kristina Moore proposed that this information should be published regularly to improve trust in government.
She argued that showing people what Ministers do and how much they spend could help build public confidence.
“Members of the media and the public often question the amount spent by Ministers on travel and it makes sense to share this information on a regular basis to again be more transparent,” she said.
