Reducing Government expenditure

WQ.22/2026

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE CHIEF MINISTER

BY DEPUTY M.B. ANDREWS OF ST HELIER NORTH QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 9th FEBRUARY 2026 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 16th FEBRUARY 2026

Question

"In relation to his stated aim of reducing Government expenditure, will the Chief Minister advise –

1. what instructions, if any, have been given to the Chief Executive Officer;
2. what actions, if any, the Chief Executive Officer has undertaken to date, or is intending to undertake; and  
3. whether it is the intention of the Chief Executive Officer to deliver any savings though a reduction of funding to organisations which receive Government funding and, if so, how it is intended to implement such reductions?"

Answer

(a)  

The Chief Executive Officer has been given a clear mandate to curb the growth of the public service workforce and overall expenditure, while protecting frontline services, particularly in health and education.

The Chief Executive Officer has also been asked to develop and present a range of options for consideration by the Council of Ministers and the States Employment Board to ensure expenditure growth is curbed and remains sustainable and proportionate to the requirements of the island.

(b)

To date, the Chief Executive Officer has implemented or overseen the following actions:

• The delivery of savings within the Government Plan 2025 - 2028 totalling £47 million, including approximately £15 million attributable to role reductions and vacancy management.

• The introduction of an external recruitment freeze from August 2024. Based on the workforce growth trajectory observed up to that date, it is estimated that, without intervention, there would have been approximately 515 additional Full Time Equivalent (FTE) posts by 31 December 2025. This equates to approximately £31 million per annum in avoided staffing costs.

• The introduction of restrictions on the use of external consultancy and temporary staffing from June 2024. Expenditure in this area reduced by approximately £29 million during 2024. Final audited figures for 2025 will be published in due course.

• The removal of over 1,000 vacant or unfunded posts from the establishment.

• A reprioritisation of departmental activity to focus on core functions, including reviews of Digital Services programmes and the Legislative Programme to ensure resources are aligned with essential delivery.

While efficiencies have been identified centrally, there has continued to be targeted investment in frontline services. In 2025, workforce increases were primarily concentrated within Health and Community Services and Children, Young People, Education and Skills, including approximately 157 additional staff in health and care and 50 additional staff in education and children's services.

(c)

As part of the wider review of public expenditure, the Chief Executive Officer has been asked to provide advice on how the overall cost of administering Government may be reduced.

A series of workshops has been held with the Council of Ministers and States Members to examine the growth in public sector expenditure between 2018 and 2024, to understand its drivers, and to consider potential reform options.

The most recent workshop took place on 12th February. Officers are currently collating the material discussed and preparing a report to be published before the end of this term. Any agreed course of action would be subject to appropriate governance processes and consultation with relevant stakeholders.