JERSEY’S Budget for 2026 and beyond has been approved with a clear message from the Treasury Minister that solutions to downsize the public sector are now imminent, as pressure mounts over the scale of government spending.
Closing four days of tense debate, Deputy Elaine Millar told the States Assembly that work was already under way to curb public sector growth and that concrete proposals would be brought to States Members early next year.
“This is the final budget of this government,” she said, adding that while difficult decisions lay ahead, ministers were committed to controlling growth “in a planned way to make sure public services remain deliverable”.
Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache suggested that the next government should adopt a programme of cuts to the public service, including giving the chief executive a mandate to cut £100m, and asking each department for a 10% headcount reduction.
Responding to the call for sweeping cuts, Deputy Millar said the government chief executive already had a clear mandate to “resize” the public service. She confirmed that recommendations would be presented to Members at a workshop in February, following earlier work on recruitment restrictions, reducing management layers and cutting reliance on consultants.
“We are not going to keep creating structures and bodies that we simply cannot afford,” she said, making clear she would not support new independent bodies or an ombudsman.
As the Budget debate entered its final stage last night, Chief Minister Deputy Lyndon Farnham echoed Deputy Minister’s sentiments that Jersey had been behaving like a larger jurisdiction.
“We are spending like a big country, to be honest. We are regulating like a big country, we are centralising like a big country. We are in danger of borrowing like a big country. We are a small island. This is not who we are, and this is not who we should become,” Deputy Farnham said.
The penultimate speaker in the debate, Public Accounts Committee chair Deputy Inna Gardiner, said that the government had too often promised a lot without providing sufficient detail. She said Jersey risked moving towards a scenario where it was simply “managing decline”.
The Budget ultimately passed with 29 votes in favour, 10 against and one abstention.
Former chief minister Deputy Kristina Moore said after the vote that this was “hardly a strong endorsement”.
But Reform Jersey leader and Housing Minister Sam Mézec commented that the Budget was a win for Islanders, and party politics.
Among the measures that would make a “real, practical difference” to Islanders’ lives he highlighted were 15 hours a week free childcare for 2 to 3 year olds, an expanded Pension Plus scheme, a ‘back to school bonus’ to help parents with the costs of uniforms and supplies, and a Stamp Duty incentive for individuals seeking to downsize.
“Reform Jersey members are proud to have helped shape and secure these wins. They show what can be achieved when an organised party guided by a positive manifesto takes a leading role in our politics,” he said.
Who did not vote in favour of the Budget?
Deputies Steve Ahier, Max Andrews, Alex Curtis, Inna Gardiner, Hilary Jeune, Helen Miles, Kristina Moore, Jonathan Renouf, Karen Wilson, and Constable Marcus Troy voted against.
Deputy Lucy Stephenson abstained.
Eight sitting States Members were absent for the final vote: Deputies Philip Bailhache, Kirsten Morel (Economic Development Minister) and Moz Scott (Assistant Minister), and Constables Richard Honeycombe, Philip Le Sueur, Deirdre Mezbourian, Karen Shenton-Stone and Richard Vibert.
Deputy Philip Ozouf remains suspended.
