A CIVIL service recruitment freeze will be extended for another year, the government has announced.
And the States Employment Board said the freeze will now apply to civil servants earnings £53,500 or more.
The initiative, first launched in August last year, was initially aimed at non-essential, non-frontline and senior civil service posts earning £66,000 and above.
It was scheduled to last for at least nine months, with a pledge to review it after six.
On Thursday, the States Employment Board announced that the recruitment freeze will be extended until the end of March 2026.
The scope of the freeze is being extended from staff of grade 11 and above, to those of grade nine and above.
Grade nine employees earn a minimum of £53,589 annually.
The recruitment freeze does not apply to any clinical, teaching or social worker roles.
The government said it has also removed 1,000 unfilled vacancies, “saved millions of pounds for taxpayers” and “prioritised frontline services”, according to the announcement.
Deputy Malcom Ferey, vice-chair of the States Employment Board, said: “Last August we set out a plan to deliver on our commitment to curb the growth in the public service, rely less on external consultants and develop local talent in the civil aervice.
“Following a review and after noting the early signs that this policy is having a positive effect, the States Employment Board is extending the current recruitment freeze until the end of March 2026 and to grades nine and above.
“This government pledged to curb the growth in the size of the public sector, focus on frontline staff and develop on-island talent rather than relying on agency workers.
“The policy is working, and we want to continue to reap those benefits while saving taxpayers money.”
