News

Scrutiny to review Government draft Budget 2025-28

​The States Assembly's Scrutiny Panels have begun their review of the Government's proposed Budget for 2025-28. The Budget, previously known as the Government Plan, sets out the Council of Minister's spending and savings proposals for the next four years. Scrutiny acts as a critical friend examining the work of Government and holding Ministers to account.

Scrutiny's reviews of the proposed Budget seek to examine:

• The impact of the Budget proposals on departmental budgets, savings and staffing levels. 
• Whether the revenue expenditure growth, capital and other projects are appropriate and likely to have a positive impact on Islanders and Island life. 
• How the proposed revenue expenditure growth, capital and other projects align with the Common Strategic Policy to deliver on the priorities, and in line with the Departments' Business Plans. 
• Whether the resources allocated to revenue expenditure growth and capital and other projects are sufficient, ensure value for money and demonstrate best use of public funds. 
• To assess the impact of the Budget proposals on States Funds.
• To assess the expected impact on the ongoing delivery of public services through reprioritisation and rebalancing of Government finances.

The Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel is taking the lead in the Review and will report Scrutiny's overarching recommendations back to the States Assembly. Individual Panels may also hold Public Hearings and then present comments, reports, or lodge amendments.

Deputy Helen Miles, Chair of the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel, commented:

'It's absolutely vital that there is a thorough review of how Ministers propose to fund the continuation of existing Government services as well as the delivery of their Ministerial priorities. Scrutiny's detailed examination of the Government's proposed Budget aims to offer Islanders assurance that it will provide good value for taxpayers' money. We want to hear from anyone who will be impacted by the proposals and wishes to contribute to the review.'

As part of Scrutiny's Review, Panel members will be holding Pop-up events around the Island, particularly during Democracy Week, September 23-27, as well as going into schools to talk to young people. Members of the public are also invited to email scrutiny@gov.je or to contact a specific Panel directly. Public Hearings with Ministers will also take place over the coming weeks to directly question them with regard to departmental budget plans.

The Scrutiny Panels for Children, Education and Home Affairs, Economic and International Affairs, Environment, Housing and Infrastructure, and Health and Social Security, will each be reviewing the areas of the proposed Budget that are specific to their remits.

The proposed Budget 2025-28 debate is due to take place in the States Assembly from Tuesday November 26 at 9.30am.

Read more about the Corporate Services Panel Review into the proposed budget, or contact: scrutiny@gov.je