Report - Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel Legacy Report 2022-2026 (S.R.10/2026)

Contents

Chair's Foreword ..................................................................................................................... 3 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 4 Review output / work undertaken .......................................................................................... 7 Reviews and Reports ............................................................................................................. 7 Comments papers .................................................................................................................. 7 Amendments ........................................................................................................................ 11 Other methods of working .................................................................................................... 13 Quarterly Hearings ............................................................................................................... 13 Letters................................................................................................................................... 13 Briefings................................................................................................................................ 13 Advisers ................................................................................................................................ 13 Public engagement .............................................................................................................. 14 Suggestions for future work................................................................................................. 15 General Review topics ......................................................................................................... 15 Connectivity – Aviation and Ferry..................................................................................... 15 Visitor Economy Strategy ................................................................................................. 15 Financial Service Competitiveness Programme .............................................................. 16 Pillar Two receipts ............................................................................................................ 16 International conventions and agreements ...................................................................... 17 Cost of Living .................................................................................................................... 17 Sports provision and facilities ........................................................................................... 17 Barriers to Business.......................................................................................................... 18 Better Business Support Package.................................................................................... 18 Rural and Marine economy .............................................................................................. 19 Acceptance of Cash Payments ........................................................................................ 19 Cyber security and cyber resilience ................................................................................. 19 Planning, Construction and infrastructure ........................................................................ 20 International Development................................................................................................ 20 Appendix 1 .............................................................................................................................. 21

Chair's Foreword

This legacy report sets out the key areas of scrutiny undertaken over the  past four years and provides context to support future Panels in building  on this work. The last two years, in particular, have seen a great deal of  legislation coming forward in the remits of Economic Development and  External  Relations/Financial  Services,  and  this  has  meant  a  corresponding  high  amount of scrutiny work (briefing,  reviews and  comments papers) for the Panel, as well as other business as usual.  Scrutiny remains an essential component of strong governance, helping  to test assumptions, assess the effectiveness of policies, and promote  accountability throughout the decision-making process.

Our Panel is mindful of the need to contextualise the work of this outgoing Panel and where any future Panel will need to continue will be in the backdrop of some very challenging local and global economic circumstances. It is clear that what many are calling the cost of living crisis is a theme that has been emerging for some time. What factors are within the control of Jersey and which are not, as well as how effectively any fiscal levers are being used, if at all, will continue to focus the minds of scrutineers in the future.

Over the course  of the term, the Panel  has  worked to  enhance transparency, provide constructive challenge, and ensure that decisions affecting the community are informed by evidence and grounded firmly in the public interest. Our programme of work has reflected both our statutory responsibilities  and emerging issues of significance to the Island.  This has included reactive scrutiny of proposed legislationsuch  as the Harbours Inshore Safety Regulations and reforms to Alcohol Licensingas well as broader topical reviews, including the use of cash in Jersey. Most recently, the Panel completed its review of the ferry service concession agreement, resulting in an interim report, the recommendations of which we hope

will be closely monitored and progressed by the incoming Panel.

From a personal point of view, one of the highlights of this term's work was the Review into Cash usage, which started off as an economic inquiry, but soon became a wider social, cultural and anthropological inquiry into how people behave and are treated as consumers in that economy. It was a salutary reminder that the economy is not simply about money, but about people. The evidence gathered during that review, and published in S.R. 1/2025, ultimately informed the debate of P.48 in the final sitting on the future of cash use in Jersey, which the States  overwhelmingly adopted.  It will  be necessary for the  future Panel and  the next Government to keep both digital and financial inclusion in its sights over the next four years and beyond.

I am grateful to my fellow Panel Members, and co-opted Members, for their dedication, including those who have contributed by joining us for reviews, to the officers who have supported our work, and to the stakeholders who contributed their knowledge, experience, and time. Their engagement has been vital in enabling the Panel to carry out its responsibilities effectively.

Deputy Montfort Tadier

Chair of the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel  

Introduction

The Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel is one of five scrutiny panels working on behalf of the States Assembly to examine and investigate the work of the Government of Jersey. This is achieved through review of:

• Government policy,

• New laws and changes to existing laws,

• Work and expenditure of the Government,

• Issues of public importance.

This work is important in holding Ministers to account for their decisions and actions, helping to improve government policies, legislation and public services.

The Panel reviews policy and legislation related to the areas of financial services, external relations and economic and international development. It focuses mainly on the work of the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, the Minister for External Relations and the Minister for International Development.

"There shall be a scrutiny panel which is assigned the topics of economic development (including financial services, innovation, competition, and the digital industry), tourism, sport and culture, external relations,
international development and international relations"

Standing Order 135(1)(b)

The current Panel has reviewed and collated the work undertaken by both the present and previously constituted Panel since its establishment by the States in June 2022, in order to assist its successor Panel in the next session. This report sets out:

• The work undertaken by both the present and previously constituted Panel during the session 2022 to 2026;

• Methods of working used by the Panel; and,

• Suggestions for issues that a successor Panel may wish to consider in developing its work programme.

Met 251 times Presented 51 comment papers

Produced 4 reports, made 89 findings and 52 recommendations – 31 were accepted or partially accepted (excluding S.R.6/2026 – responses not provided prior to publication of this report)

Lodged 9 amendments to propositions

Sent and received over 222 letters

Conducted 86 public hearings

Number of Panel Meetings

100

90

80

70

62

60 55 55

50

50

40

29

30

20

10

0

2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

Review output / work undertaken

Reviews and Reports

Comments papers

Amendments

Other methods of working

Quarterly Hearings

The Panel held public hearings with the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, the Minister for External Relations and the Minister for International Development on a quarterly basis,  which gave the Panel an opportunity to ask questions  in a public forum. Topics discussed  covered all aspects of the Panels remit, ranging  from ongoing policy to new legislation of the Ministers and Government of Jersey.

The Panel also held specific public hearings to gather evidence as part of a number of reviews it undertook during the term of office.

Letters

The Panel kept in regular contact with Ministers with correspondence asking for background information or responses to questions. It has sent and received 222 letters over this term (excluding  letters  sent  requesting  targeted  submissions  for  reviews).  These  include correspondence with Ministers, public bodies and stakeholders, enabling the Panel to pose questions and gain evidence during the course of its work.

Briefings

The Panel  has regularly invited  and received officials from Government to give private briefings, especially on policy under development', allowing for real time scrutiny of key policy areas. These briefings also allowed the panel to gather background information for prospective or  actual  reviews,  inform  comments  papers  and  be  appraised  of  significant developments/progress reports in the portfolios under its remit.

Advisers

The Panel engaged the services of two expert advisers during the course of 2022 – 2026. Each adviser was appointed following a full tender process in line with relevant procedures. Panels appoint advisers to assist them in studying Government policies and have the freedom to select an adviser whom they consider to possess an appropriate level of expertise. The following advisers have been commissioned by the Panel for reviews during this term of office:

• Draft Harbours (Inshore Safety) (Jersey) Amendment Regulations 202- Review: May – July 2025

Professor, Claire de Than

• Ferry Service: Concession Agreement Review

Martin Bignell, ProVersa Limited, Chestney House, 149  Market Street, St Andrews , Fife, KY16 9PF,

Public engagement

The Panel has engaged with the public throughout the course of 2022 – 2026 and endeavored to increase its efforts to encourage Islanders to engage with scrutiny.

This has been carried out through wider publication of calls for evidence during reviews, alongside  public  engagement  events,  social  media  posts,  traditional  media  and  news releases, as well as the use of qualitative social research, such as public surveys.

The Panel wishes to thank all those who have attended proceedings or tuned into sessions online, and those who have taken the opportunity to forward their views, comments and questions.

Suggestions for future work General Review topics

Connectivity – Aviation and Ferry

Due to the significant changes in Island connectivity over the past two yearsstemming from the transition to the new ferry provider in March 2025 and Blue Islands ceasing trading in November 2025the Panel considers this an area that requires continued scrutiny.

The Panel began  its review of the Ferry Service Concession Agreement at the end of November 2025, following significant public and commercial feedback about the impact of the new service. As the new ferry operator had been in place for less than twelve months at the time of the review, the Panel's interim report focused on its initial evaluation of how the Concession Agreement was operating in practice, analysed against submissions from service usersboth passenger and freightduring the first year of operation. Through this work, the Panel identified 11 findings and made 21 recommendations.

At the time of writing, the Panel is awaiting the Ministerial Response to its review and looks forward to receiving it. The Panel therefore considers it important that the next Panel monitors the actions taken by the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development in response to these recommendations. Additionally, as more operational data becomes available and contractual milestones are reached, close oversight will be required to ensure that the Minister's actions support a ferry service that meets Islanders' needs, supports business  requirements, and contributes to a strong visitor economy.

Regarding air connectivity, the Panel attended a joint private briefing with the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel on 19th November 2025, as responsibility for the Blue Islands situation was under the remit of the Minister for Treasury and Resources. The Panel also raised questions during its Quarterly Hearings with the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development to understand how the Minister and the wider government were working to strengthen the Island's air connectivity resilience.

The Panel considers this an important area for ongoing scrutiny, much like sea connectivity, due to its critical role in supporting Jersey's visitor economy. Ensuring that both air and sea links remain reliable and resilient is essential for maintaining tourism, safeguarding the Island's economic wellbeing, and providing confidence to businesses and visitors alike. Continued oversight will therefore be necessary to monitor developments, assess risks, and ensure that appropriate actions are being taken to protect Jersey's connectivity in the long term.

Visitor Economy Strategy

The Panel believes it is important that the actions arising from the Visitor Economy Strategy (published in 2023) continue to be closely monitored. The Strategy sets a long-term vision for Jersey's visitor economy and identifies 48 policy priorities across eight strategic objectives, covering areas such as sustainability, community benefit, economic growth, and the Island's global visibility. Given the breadth and ambition of this framework, ongoing oversight will help ensure that implementation remains on track and that the intended benefits for Islanders, businesses, and visitors are realised over time.

The Panel scrutinised a draft of the Tourism (General Provisions) (Jersey) Amendment Order 2025 at the end of 2025, after it was shared with the Panel in draft form by the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development prior to being signed. The Panel worked with the Minister, who updated the draft Order following a number of concerns identified by the Panel. The Panel noted in a letter to the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development that whilst it was content with the order being signed following the changes that had been made, it had general concerns on the direction of travel of the tourism order and the implications it could have for

the wider tourism and accommodation offering of the Island.

However, the Panel believes it is essential that ongoing scrutiny takes place once the Order is in force, particularly to understand any practical implications for Jersey's tourism and accommodation sectors. The direction indicated by the Order raises broader questions about how minimum standards  of tourist  accommodation may evolve, and whether increased flexibility could have unintended consequences for the Island's overall visitor offering.

Given these  potential impacts, the Panel considers it important that its successor Panel monitor the implementation of the Order and assess its effects on the quality, availability, and long-term sustainability of tourist accommodation. This may warrant a broader review of the Government's  strategic  approach  to  tourism  accommodation, including  how  regulatory changes align with the objectives of the Visitor Economy Strategy and the Island's ambitions for a resilient and competitive tourism sector.

Financial Service Competitiveness Programme

Throughout  its  term,  the  Panel  made  a  sustained  effort to  examine  and  assess  the development and delivery of the Financial Services Competitiveness Programme through Quarterly Hearings and correspondence. The programme aims to strengthen Jersey's position as a leading International Finance Centre (IFC). It seeks to improve the competitiveness of Jersey's Financial and Related Professional Services (FRPS).

On 16th March 2026, the Government of Jersey published  its Final Ministerial Report and Action Plan titled Time to Win. The Panel recommends that its successor Panel continues to monitor closely the actions arising  from this report, ensuring  that the commitments and initiatives set out within it are delivered effectively.

Pillar Two receipts

Pillar Two is a global framework developed by the OECD to ensure that large in-scope Multinational Enterprise groups pay a minimum effective rate of tax of 15% in every jurisdiction they operate in. In October 2024, the States Assembly unanimously adopted legislation to implement an Income Inclusion Rule and a 15% Multinational Corporate Income Tax (MCIT) for in-scope entities for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 Janua 2025.[1]

The Panel understands that 2026 marks the first year in which Jersey will receive income from the relevant groups following the introduction of Pillar Two. Within the Government Budget 2026-2029 it stated that a portion of the expected receipts from Pillar Two will be reinvested in promoting the competitiveness of Jersey's financial and professional services sector. The sum that will ultimately be received by Jersey remains unknown and the Panel was informed during its scrutiny of the Government Budget 2026-2029 that money is allocated from the base case to finance the borrowing on the hospital and a "smaller, in effect largely halved, allocation to competitiveness work"[2].

Therefore, the Panel would recommend that its successor Panel maintain scrutiny of Pillar Two  receipts  and seek regular updates, as these funds are integral to delivering the competitiveness programme committed to by the Minister for External Relations.

International conventions and agreements

The Panel  considers  it important  that its  successor Panel  continues  to scrutinise  such agreements to understand both their economic and human impacts and to ensure that the intended benefits are being realised. The Panel also notes that it would be valuable for future scrutiny  to  examine  the  economic  and  financial  returns  anticipated  from these  treaty extensions, particularly as the Panel was advised that they are expected to generate additional income for the Island.

Cost of Living

Following concerns raised by Islanders about the cost of living in Jersey, the Panel notes that the cost of living remains a significant issue. Through its review of the Ferry Service and Concession Agreement, the Panel received submissions from retailers indicating that prices have increased since the transition to the new ferry operator. In addition, the Panel remains concerned about  the pressures  on household  budgets  in  Jersey, particularly  as recent geopolitical eventswhose effects on fuel prices are only beginning to be feltare likely to drive costs further upward. The Panel is therefore mindful of the need for effective and timely Government action to mitigate these impacts. Following concerns raised to the Panel with regards  to rising  fuel prices, the Panel  wrote  to the Minister for Sustainable  Economic Development to determine what steps the Minister and the wider Government were taking to monitor fuel prices and undertake contingency planning.

The Panel had intended to undertake a review of the cost of living; however, due to the demands of other ongoing reviews, namely of legislative propositions, it was not possible to progress  this  work as  originally planned.  Consequently,  the Panel recommends that its successor Panel undertakes a review of the Government's costofliving measures, assessing both the actions being taken and their overall effectiveness. In considering cost of living pressures, it is important to examine and distinguish between the elements that Jersey can influence through Government action and those that lie outside its control. This should include an assessment of domestic and global inflationary pressures, the resilience of oil and gas supply chains, the impact of DFDS's takeover on the price of goods, and the continuing high interest rates. It will also be essential to understand how the cost of living affects different groupssuch as pensioners, renters, and homeownersin order to identify where the impact is greatest. A future Panel may therefore wish to give further attention to how these pressures

vary across society and how any support might be more effectively targeted.

Sports provision and facilities

On 12th June 2025,  the  Panel held  a  standalone  topical  hearing  with the Minister  for Infrastructure to examine sports provision and performance pathways in Jersey, following the publication of Government plans for the redevelopment of Fort Regent and the relocation of sports users to alternative facilities.

During this work, the Panel heard concerns from sports clubs, organisations and individuals about the suitability of proposed venues and the longterm implications for both grassroots

participation and elite performance. Given the significance of these matters and the ongoing public interest, the Panel considers  this an area that should  remain under scrutiny and recommends that its successor Panel continue to monitor developments closely. There is the opportunity  for  a  future  panel  to  consider  the  wider  sports  ecosystem  including  the opportunities for it potential to deliver social, economic and health gains.

Barriers to Business

In September 2023, the Department of the Economy released its Barriers to Business Report, outlining the major challenges facing businesses, identifying the sectors most affected, and proposing  targeted  interventions  and  action plans  across short, medium, and long-term timeframes.

One of the report's recommendations has since informed the development of the Draft Shops (Regulation of Opening and Deliveries) (Jersey) Repeal Law 202– [P.40/2026]. Any future Panel may wish to assess progress against these recommendations and consider whether an updated report, with updated findings and recommendations, is planned. Furthermore, there has been considerable discussion around what constitutes necessary versus unnecessary red tape, and  it will be important for any future Panel  to carefully assess  which regulatory requirements genuinely support businesses and which may create avoidable burdens.

Better Business Support Package

The Government Budget 2026-2029 continued the Better Business Support Package (BBSP) providing  a  further £10  million  in  2026  whilst  the  transition  towards  a  living  wage  is implemented. The Panel was informed by the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development that the  Better Business  Support Package has  played  "an important  role  in stimulating investment"[3].  

In  the  Panel's  scrutiny  of  the  Government Budget  2026-2029  and  in  its  subsequent Comments, it highlighted that whilst there was a large uptake of the Productivity Grants, the Skills grants received low uptake and so the decision was taken to move £500,000 from the Skills grant to the Productivity grants[4]. The reason for the low uptake of skills grants remained unclear. The Panel wishes to highlight the need for continued scrutiny of the interrelatedness of skills, apprenticeships, and workforce supply to the economy as part of its consideration of the Better Business Support Package.

The Panel would recommend that its successor Panel closely monitors both the uptake and the effectiveness of the Better Business Support Package. Ongoing scrutiny should focus not only on overall demand but also on understanding any persistent barriers that may prevent businesses from fully accessing financial grants. Such monitoring will help ensure that funding allocations remain responsive, evidence based, and aligned with the needs of the business community.

Rural and Marine economy

In February 2026, the Minister for Sustainable  Economic Development lodged the Draft Agriculture and Fisheries (Loans) (Jersey) Law 202- [P.37/2026] which sought to extend the scope of the current Agricultural Loans Fund to  include the fishing industry. The Panel highlighted in its Comments that it welcomed this scope extension to include fisheries in an effort to ensure that marine businesses  are able to apply for loans on the same basis as agricultural businesses.

During its examination of Proposition of P.37/2026, the Panel sought clarification from the Minister for Sustainable  Economic Development regarding  the status  of a potential  fish processing facility. The Minister confirmed that the concept had not been dismissed and remains an area requiring further consideration and investigation.[5] Consequently, this led to Panel reflection around the possible missed economic opportunities that exist within the rural and marine industry.

The Panel considers it essential that its successor continues to examine whether the rural and marine sectors are receiving an appropriate level of support in particular following the adoption of the expanding of the loans to include the fishing industry. The Island faces inherently high costs associated with importing food and raw materials as noted through the Panel's review of the Ferry Service, which places additional pressure on both producers and consumers.

In this context, the Panel believes there should be a stronger strategic focus on enhancing local food production,  including  both  agriculture and  the fishing  industry.  Strengthening domestic production not only has the potential to improve food security and reduce reliance on costly imports, but also to support sustainable economic development across rural and marine communities. For these reasons, the Panel suggests that further scrutiny is required to  assess  whether  current  policies,  funding  mechanisms,  and  operational  frameworks adequately reflect the opportunities and challenges within these sectors.

Acceptance of Cash Payments

The Panel undertook the Acceptance of Cash Payments Review in June 2024, publishing its Report on 4th February 2025. This review examined how cash is used and accepted across Jersey, focusing on business practices, public attitudes, and access to both cash and digital payment services. The Panel's review identified 38 findings and made 13 recommendations. Collectively, these recommendations emphasise the pressing need for the Government to establish a clear and coherent policy and longterm strategy on the role of cash within Jersey's community. This remains a potential area of focus for a successor Panel if it chooses to explore it further.

Cyber security and cyber resilience

The lodging and subsequent adoption of the Cyber Security (Jersey) Law 202 [P.107/2025] marked a major milestone in establishing Jersey's longterm cyberresilience framework and was scrutinised by the Panel in early 2026, with its findings presented in the accompanying Comments.

The Cyber Security (Jersey) Law 2025 Law assigns national responsibility for cyber security to the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, empowers the Jersey Cyber Security Centre (JCSC) to act as the Island's technical advisory body and single point of contact for cyber incidents, and sets out duties for Operators of Essential Services (OES) to implement proportionate security measures, identify threats, reduce risks, and report significant incidents. As the Law has now been adopted, ongoing oversight of its implementationincluding the effectiveness and operational independence of the JCSC, as well as the preparedness of Operators of Essential Serviceswill be vital to maintaining Jersey's resilience against cyber threats. The Panel therefore recommends that its successor Panel continue scrutiny in this area.

Planning, Construction and infrastructure

An area which the Panel believes requires greater scrutiny, had more time been available, is the economic impact of planning policy, major development projects and activity within the wider construction sector. Significant projects, such as the redevelopment of Fort Regent, alongside  the  delivery  of  essential  public  infrastructure,  highlight  the  importance  of understanding how such initiatives influence the Island's economy. These issues, coupled with the challenges faced by the construction industry, including the closure of several businesses in 2025, raise important questions about both the adequacy of support provided to the sector and the broader economic implications of largescale development decisions.

International Development

Through its quarterly hearings with the Minister for International Development, the Panel has explored questions relating to the scope of the ministerial remit and the Minister's role as Chair of Jersey Overseas Aid. Based on this engagement, the Panel considers that the remit of the Minister for International Development would benefit from continued monitoring, particularly in relation to how international development activity is governed and how outcomes and value are  assessed  within  an  increasingly  complex global  environment. Current  international challenges  highlight  the  importance of governance arrangements  that  support  effective strategic oversight, coordination, and accountability.

The Panel also notes that responsibility for international development has not always been located within a dedicated ministerial portfolio. In other jurisdictions, and at different points in time, alternative ministerial  and departmental  arrangements have been in place. In this context, the Panel considers it reasonable for future scrutiny panels to remain sighted on whether the current allocation of responsibilities continues to provide an effective framework for the delivery of international development objectives. Should consideration be given to any changes in the structure or allocation of this remit, it would be appropriate for scrutiny to be informed and engaged as part of that process.

Appendix 1

Panel Membership – 2022 to February 2024

Deputy Moz Scott (Chair)

Connétable Richard Honeycombe
(Member)

Deputy Max Andrews (Member)

Resigned 21st March 2023

Deputy Raluca Kovacs Vice Chair

Resigned 21st March 2023

Connétable Marcus Troy Resigned 17th July 2023

Co-opted 27th July 2023 for Supply Chain Resilience Review

Panel Membership – February 2024 - Present

Deputy Montfort Tadier (Chair)

  Deputy Karen Wilson (Vice Chair from 17th September 2024)

Deputy Max Andrews (Member)

Deputy Beatriz Porée (Member)

Joined the Panel on 8th December 2025

Deputy Geoff Southern (Member) Vice Chair until 17th September 2024

Resigned from the Panel on 21st January 2026

States Greffe | Morier House | Halkett Place |St Helier | Jersey | JE1 1DD T: +44 (0) 1534 441 020 | E: [email protected] | W: Statesassembly.gov.je

[1] OECD Pillar One and Pillar Two  

[2] Transcript - Quarterly Hearing – Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel - Minister for External Relations - 10 November 2025  Pg. 7

[3] Transcript - Quarterly Hearing – Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel - Minister for Sustainable Economic Development - 2 December 2025 Pg. 50

[4] P-70-2025-Com-(2).pdf  

[5] Transcript - Quarterly Hearing - Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel - Minister for Sustainable Economic Development - 12 February 2026 Pg. 36-37