Panel suggests public sector spending is closely scrutinised during next political term
Scrutiny
16 April 2026
The Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel has published its legacy report, summarising the work it has carried out since 2022, and highlighting the areas the next Panel may wish to examine in more detail. The Panel scrutinises the work of the Chief Minister and Minister for Treasury and Resources.During this political term the Panel has published 18 comments papers, seven reports and six amendments, four of which have been adopted by the States Assembly. It has also held 37 public hearings during this period and sent more than 169 letters to Ministers on a range of topics, either requesting information, asking for clarification on policies or legislation or requesting the Minister to take action.
As well as quarterly hearings, the Panel carried out standalone hearings which focused on issues including the recruitment and retention of staff within the public sector, the Government’s approach to gender pay gap reporting, and how whistleblowing and grievance cases are currently handled.
The Panel has also scrutinised significant and complex areas of Government policy, including successive Budgets (Government Plans) and important legislative developments such as the implementation of OECD Pillar 2 taxation and reforms to public finances.
The Panel has also expanded its public engagement, including most recently its successful engagement with the Jersey Youth Assembly to seek its views on its review of the Government’s proposed Budget 2026-2029 to ensure that the voices of young Islanders were appropriately reflected in its findings and recommendations.
Deputy Helen Miles, Chair of the Panel, said: ‘This term has brought a wide range of complex issues for the Panel to examine, many of which relate to how Jersey’s public finances are being managed in both the short and long term. The Panel has scrutinised major financial decisions, including the introduction of the new global Pillar 2 tax, and considered longer term questions around public spending and the development of a sustainable financial strategy.
Following the election on Sunday 7 June, the next government will need to make important decisions in several key areas. These include its approach to pay negotiations for the coming year, how it intends to deliver long-term sustainability to Jersey’s finances, and how it plans to address the ongoing risks and pressures affecting the Island.
The next Panel will play a crucial role in ensuring accountability during this period, so it is vital that it is prepared to take a flexible, quick and thorough approach to its work, ensuring that these financial decisions and their impact on Islanders are fully considered. It will also be important for the next Panel to continue monitoring how the government handles complaints and its policies on whistleblowing, staff recruitment and retention, and employee wellbeing.
Scrutiny is fundamental in improving outcomes for Islanders, and we look forward to seeing how the next Panel continues to strengthen this work in the years ahead.’
