Jersey student discusses Island’s economy at the House of Commons
States Assembly
4 March 2025
A JCG student spoke of the need for Jersey to diversify its workforce during the 2025 session of the UK Youth Parliament at the House of Commons. Former Jersey Youth Parliament member Cassie Graham, who is studying for her A-Levels, took her place on the famous Westminster green benches last Friday before reflecting on the future of the Island’s economy and the need to provide better training and reskilling opportunity for Islanders.
The topic Cassie spoke on was selected by students in Jersey as part of the 'Make Your Mark' vote for UK Parliament Week.
She was invited to take part in the debate, alongside representatives from the other Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories, by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
Describing taking part in the event as an “insane experience”, Cassie said: “My speech was about the ageing population and problems we are having with getting new people into the Island and that we don’t have many opportunities for upskilling and the economy is suffering quite a lot from that.”
More than 260 young people aged between 11 and 18 took part in the UK Youth Parliament session. They debated issues including the National Minimum Wage, period dignity, access to political literacy and democratic education, free public transport for young people and reducing the voting age in the UK to 16 – something which already happens in Jersey.
Sir Lindsay introduced a special segment in 2022 for representatives of the British Overseas Territories to speak. The Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man made their debut in 2023.
As a former member of the Jersey Youth Parliament, Cassie has attended and taken part in international conferences including the British and Irish Council conference hosted by Jersey in 2023. Last September, she also attended the Normandy Peace Forum in Caen.
The inaugural sitting of the UK Youth Parliament in 2009 was the first time that the Chamber had been used by anyone other than elected Members of Parliament.
Cassie’s speech in full:
'Firstly, I'd like to express my thanks to Mr Speaker for inviting me to speak today, and I am very grateful for this opportunity.
Jersey boasts an economy of over £5.7 billion per annum and an average GDP of around £55,000 per person - which puts us among the top 20 economies globally (for living standards). Even though we have a wealthy and strong economy for our size, we are facing potential economic pressure and demographic shifts in the next decade due to an ageing population, decreasing birth rates, low levels of investment and low adoption of new technology.
Birth rates in 2024 for Jersey were the lowest since 1945, having fallen 10% since the previous year. These statistics predict a major challenge in Jersey’s ratio of working and non-working Islanders, which combined with an ageing population and declining productivity, might lead to a decline of revenue to run public services and ultimately a drop in living standards. There is also an increase in Jersey-born young adults leaving the Island due to limited job opportunities, high costs of living and our current housing situation.
A skilled and adaptable workforce is crucial for productivity and growth in Jersey's changing labour market. Despite high employment levels, we experience skills gaps and labour shortages. Therefore, it is essential to enhance our workforce's skills and expertise while balancing inward investment and attracting international talent. This can be achieved by providing the right reskilling and upskilling opportunities, as well as specialised support to those who need it.
As an Island we have set the goal to be a consistently high performing, environmentally sustainable and technologically advanced small island economy by 2040. To succeed at this, we must take advantage of the rapidly growing areas of industry such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence and various other technological areas. As these industries introduce new jobs to the Island, that will introduce a new generation of workers.
Jersey needs sustainable economic growth that supports family life and development. As an island we are in a strong position now to acknowledge and act on these problems and we must do so in the coming years before it's too late.
I would like to thank Mr Speaker again for this opportunity and for listening to my presentation.'
