CONVERSATIONS between the government and the Jersey Employment Trust had been ongoing “for some time” before the announcement that jobs at the charity were at risk due to a cap in States funding, the Social Security Minister has said.
DETAILS of the back and forth exchanges between the government and JET – before it was decided that the charity would not receive additional top-up funding this year – have started to emerge.
The JEP understands that the government opened discussions about the Trust’s 2026 finances last summer.
JET provides vocational training and employment support for Islanders with
disabilities and long-term health conditions.
It is contracted by the Employment, Social Security and Housing Department with agreed funding of around £2 million.
But the charity announced earlier this week that it had learnt additional top-up funding would not be made available this year, stating that all 38 of its staff were now “at risk” of redundancy and that it would be “reviewing the scale of its services”.
The government has said that those concerned about their support, or would like to talk to a dedicated advisor, can call 447608 or email customerservice@gov.je
Social Security Minister Lyndsay Feltham said: “We have been in discussions with JET for some time about how best we can support their work going forward.
“The aim of our discussions with JET is to agree a better way for government to provide funding, so that JET does not have to keep coming back for extra money every year.
“We are working to agree a long-term funding commitment with them to provide certainty for the valuable work they do.”
Deputy Feltham continued: “Over the past 12 months ESSH [the Employment, Social Security and Housing Department] have been working with JET to understand their client base and whether there is any duplication with existing services, to ensure people are provided the best targeted support they require.
“Our aim has always been to ensure JET focus on its core expertise of supporting clients with disabilities into employment.”
The minister has also clarified a previous reference to “considerable overspends” by the charity, after its board challenged the comment.
JET stated that: “Where additional funding has been required, this has been pre-approved by government and used specifically to meet increased demand and maintain agreed service levels.
“This is, therefore, agreed top-up funding to account for increasing demand and the pressures of inflation, and is not overspending.”
Deputy Feltham has clarified that her comments were meant to reflect JET’s further spending in addition to its core grant.
Meanwhile, Assistant Chief Minister Malcolm Ferey said that, having visited JET on a number occasions – both during his previous role with Citizens Advice Jersey and when he was Assistant Social Security Minister – he was “aware of the great work that they do”.
“One always has to contrast that with the need to make sure that public money is well spent and properly placed,” he said.
He also described the previous top-up funding as “additional sums that were initially designed to get them through a difficult period”, adding that Deputy Feltham remained in discussions with JET “to find the appropriate solution and appropriate financial package”.
“None of these decisions are ever easy and they are never simple.”
