FIGURES showing how much consultants cost the government in 2025 will be published before the pre-election period, the Chief Minister has stated as he highlighted the impact of spending controls introduced in 2024.
Deputy Lyndon Farnham also cited a “noticeable shift” away from the use of “off-Island project managers at temporary executive level”.
He made the comments during yesterday’s States sitting, after Deputy Max Andrews asked how much the government has spent on consultants “during this political term”.
Deputy Farnham replied: “As reported in the annual report and accounts, consultancy and temporary staffing spending dropped by £29 million in 2024 compared to 2023.”
He continued: “The figures for 2025 will be published as part of the government’s report on the use of consultants and contingent labour, and will be published before the pre-election period on 20 April.
“I should point out that the figures are subject to rigorous review and that must be undertaken before publication, so once those figures have been reviewed and agreed I’ll be able to provide the figure.”
Jersey’s Comptroller and Auditor General has previously spoken about the importance of “good quality workforce planning” in reducing reliance on contractors and consultants.
Deputy Andrews asked Deputy Farnham what steps had been taken to utilise existing staff within the public sector before turning to consultants.
The Chief Minister answered: “Controls on consultancy and spending were introduced in June 2024 for the chief officer and the chief executive to approve.”
He continued: “That included agency contracts in excess of 12 months, consultants, contingent labour, which includes interims, personal contract holders that are employed on day rates and other similar professional services.”
Deputy Farnham added: “There’s been a noticeable shift from use of off-Island project managers at temporary executive level to more on-Island temporary staff.
“The current policy is to utilise and transfer staff internally and to use local staff and consultants.”
