JERSEY’S public sector had more than 1,000 unfilled “unfunded, aspirational” vacancies earlier this year, which have now been scrapped, the Chief Minister has revealed. Deputy Lyndon Farnham was responding to questions at a Scrutiny hearing about why the new government – which last month announced a nine-month recruitment freeze for civil servants earning £66,000 or […]
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Minister keen for schools to collaborate on 16+ choices
THE Education Minister is “keen to start conversations” around how schools in Jersey could better collaborate to improve the choices and opportunities available for students over the age of 16. Deputy Rob Ward recently published his response to a Scrutiny report that set out a series of recommendations aimed at bettering the secondary education system. […]
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Calls grow to expand domestic abuse law
CALLS for the Island’s domestic abuse legislation to encompass incidents that occurred before the law came into force are growing – amid concerns that some abusers have “not been held accountable”. A petition lodged by Melyssa Vieira regarding the Domestic Abuse (Jersey) Law 2022, which has garnered hundreds of signatures, argues that legislation needs to […]
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States Members vote to retain right for couples to file joint tax returns
MARRIED people, and those in civil partnerships, will retain the right to file a joint tax return when legislation governing independent taxation comes into force in 2026. The new law was passed by politicians in the States Assembly yesterday, with Members rejecting an amendment lodged by Deputy Louise Doublet calling for the removal of the […]
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Government set to introduce new restrictions on firearms in Jersey
RESTRICTIONS will be brought in to improve oversight of weapons in Jersey, the Home Affairs Minister has confirmed after it emerged that there are more than 8,200 firearms in the Island. Deputy Mary Le Hegarat said that plans for a full review of the Island’s firearms law remain on hold. But she told a Scrutiny […]
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Fees for abortions remain part of new law following Members’ single-vote decision
THE Island’s abortion service will remain a paid-for facility following a States Assembly decision, by a single vote, to support the government’s right to levy a fee. While all other parts of the new Termination of Pregnancy Law, the most significant overhaul of legislation in this area for almost 30 years, were relatively uncontentious, the […]
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Hautlieu 14-plus transfer ‘divisive’, says Scrutiny
A “DIVISIVE” education policy allowing students to transfer to Hautlieu when they reach 14 needs to be reconsidered, according to a Scrutiny panel. Children’s, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel chair Deputy Catherine Curtis warned of the emotional toll of the 14-plus system, where high-achieving students can choose to go to the academically selective school, […]
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Call for better ‘messaging’ on income tax and social security in pension petition debate
STATES Members have called for better communication from the government to Islanders about issues relating to tax and social security. During a debate about whether old-age pensions should be exempt from tax, the Treasury Minister acknowledged criticism about the failure to offer taxpayers adequate explanations about how their rates and payments were calculated. The “in-committee” […]
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Gender pay gap solutions sought
PRESSURE is mounting on businesses to publish their gender pay gap data following an action group meeting to discuss the disparity. Dozens attended BDO’s offices in Windward House on the evening of Thursday 6 June for the second Gender Pay Gap Round Table. Attendees included four States Members – Housing Minister Sam Mézec, Deputies Lucy […]
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Police chief: ‘Unofficial transport providers a very difficult problem’
THE Island’s police chief has described the existence of unofficial transport providers such as Jersey Lifts as “a very difficult” problem. Robin Smith was asked during a Scrutiny panel hearing whether he was worried about safety risks resulting from such providers. The chief of police said the issue had been raised with him on several […]
