States Minutes 11 December 2025

THE STATES assembled on Thursday 11th December 2025, at 9.30 a.m. under the Presidency of the Bailiff ,

Robert James MacRae , Esquire.

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All members were present at roll call with the exception of –

Connétable Alan Simon Crowcroft of St. Helier – en défaut (défaut raised at 9.52 a.m.) Connétable Deidre Wendy Mezbourian of St. Lawrence – ill

Connétable Richard Vibert of St. Peter – en défaut

Connétable Karen Shenton-Stone of St. Martin – ill

Deputy Philip Francis Cyril Ozouf of St. Saviour – suspended

Deputy Raluca Stefana Kovacs of St. Saviour – en défaut (défaut raised at 9.52 a.m.) Deputy Karen Margaret Wilson of St. Clement – en défaut (défaut raised at 9.39 a.m.)

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Prayers

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Standing Order 55A – remote participation

THE STATES, with reference to their Act dated 14th September 2021, in which they had agreed that, notwithstanding Standing Order 55A(1), Members who did not wish to attend in the States Chamber might continue to take part in States meetings using Microsoft Teams (until the States had considered and voted upon a proposition to re-apply Standing Order 55A(1) or to repeal or vary the terms of the Standing Order), assembled in accordance with Standing Order 55A with Members able to participate remotely using Microsoft Teams. The following Members attended remotely, either for all or part of the meeting –

Deputy Louise Mary Catherine Doublet of St. Saviour

Deputy Ian Joseph Gorst of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter Deputy Hilary Louise Jeune of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity Deputy Raluca Stefana Kovacs of St. Saviour

Deputy Karen Margaret Wilson of St. Clement

Documents presented

Guidance of Standing Order 106: Declaration of Interests.  R.175/2025. Presented: 11th December 2025, Privileges and Procedures Committee.

Notification of lodged propositions

Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2026-2029 (P.70/2025): eleventh amendment  P.70/2025. (P.70/2025 Amd.(11)) – second amendment.  Amd.(11). Lodged: 11th December 2025, Council of Ministers.  Amd.(2).

Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2026-2029 (P.70/2025): thirty-sixth amendment.  P.70/2025. Lodged: 11th December 2025, Minister for Treasury and Resources.  Amd.(36).

Draft Finance (2026 Budget) (Jersey) Law 202- (P.93/2025): second amendment.  P.93/2025. Lodged: 11th December 2025, Minister for Treasury and Resources.  Amd.(2).

Withdrawal of lodged propositions

THE STATES noted that, in accordance with Standing Order 34(1), the proposer of the following proposition lodged "au Greffe" had informed the Greffier of the States that it had been withdrawn –

Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2026-2029 (P.70/2025): eleventh amendment  P.70/2025. (P.70/2025 Amd.(11)) – amendment.  Amd.(11). Overpayments of Social Security Contributions.  Amd. Lodged: 1st December 2025, Council of Ministers.

Arrangement of Public Business for the present meeting

THE STATES, adopting a proposition of the Chief Minister, agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 80, to suspend Standing Order 32 in order that the amendment of the Council of Ministers (P.70/2025 Amd.(11)) to the proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2026-2029' (P.70/2025) might be listed for consideration at the present meeting; and further agreed in accordance with Standing Order 26(7), to reduce the minimum lodging period in respect of the same amendment in order that it might be debated at the present meeting.

THE STATES noted that, in accordance with Standing Order 34(1), the Minister for Social Security had informed  the  Greffier  of  the  States  that  the  amendment  of  the  Council  of  Ministers  (P.70/2025 Amd.(11)Amd.) to the amendment of the Council of Ministers (P.70/2025 Amd.(11) to the proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2026-2029' (P.70/2025) had been withdrawn.

THE STATES, adopting a proposition of the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 80, to suspend Standing Order 32 in order that his amendment (P.70/2025 Amd.(33).Amd.(2)) to the proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2026-2029' might be listed for consideration at the present meeting; and further agreed in accordance with Standing Order 26(7), to reduce the minimum lodging period in respect of the same amendment in order that it might be debated at the present meeting.

THE STATES noted that, in accordance with Standing Order 34(1), Deputy Montfort Tadier of St. Brelade had informed the Greffier of the States that his amendment (P.70/2025 Amd.(33).Amd) to the proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2026-2029' (P.70/2025) had been withdrawn.

Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2026-2029 P.70/2025

THE STATES, resuming consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Proposed Budget  (Government  Plan)  2026-2029'  (P.70/2025),  as  amended,  commenced  consideration  of  an amendment  of   Deputy  Inna   Gardiner  of  St.  Helier  North  (P.70/2025  Amd.(26)),  and  rejected  the amendment that –

in paragraph (b)(xii), after the words "in the Appendix to the accompanying report" there should be inserted the words –

", except that on page 16 after "Figure 6: Common Strategic Policies" there should be inserted a new paragraph –

"Additional funding will be allocated to increase apprenticeship grants from the current rate of £1,852 per student to a maximum amount of £2,350 per student, to factor in inflation from the date at which the rate was set. The additional funding required for 2026 shall be allocated from the Better Business Support Package.""; and

in paragraph (b)(xii), after the words "in the Appendix to the accompanying report" there should be inserted the words –

", except that on page 16 after "Figure 6: Common Strategic Policies" there should be inserted a new paragraph –

"During 2026, the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, in consultation with the Minister for Treasury and Resources and other relevant Ministers, shall develop proposals for an apprenticeship grants funding model to be managed using an Annually Managed Expenditure (AME) model rather than as part of general departmental budgets."".

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 9

Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy I. Gardiner Deputy K.L. Moore Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy H.L. Jeune Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson

CONTRE: 27

Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Mary

Deputy G.P. Southern

Deputy C.F. Labey

Deputy S.G. Luce

Deputy K.F. Morel

Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat

Deputy S.M. Ahier

Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy L.J. Farnham

Deputy S.Y. Mézec

Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée   Deputy M.R. Scott

Deputy L.V. Feltham

Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy M.E. Millar

Deputy A. Howell

Deputy T.J.A. Binet

Deputy M.R. Ferey

Deputy A.F. Curtis

Deputy B. Ward

Deputy M.B. Andrews

ABSTAINED: 5

Connétable of Grouville Deputy M. Tadier Deputy H.M. Miles Deputy C.D. Curtis Deputy R.S. Kovacs

THE STATES, resuming consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers,  as amended commenced  consideration  of  an  amendment  of   Deputy  David  James   Warr  of  St.  Helier  South (P.70/2025 Amd.(14)) and rejected an amendment of Deputy Catherine Dolores Curtis of St. Helier Central (P.70/2025 Amd.(14).Amd.) that, after the words "personal income tax", there should be inserted the words ", to also include removal of tax relief for buy-to-let mortgages".

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 19

Connétable of St. Clement Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy M. Tadier

CONTRE: 21

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity

ABSTAINED: 2

Connétable of Grouville Deputy I. Gardiner

Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy S.Y. Mézec

Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy H.M. Miles

Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy C.D. Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham

Deputy H.L. Jeune

Deputy R.S. Kovacs

Deputy K.M. Wilson

Deputy M.B. Andrews

Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy S.G. Luce

Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy L.J. Farnham Deputy K.L. Moore Deputy M.R. Scott Deputy R.E. Binet Deputy M.E. Millar Deputy A. Howell Deputy T.J.A. Binet Deputy M.R. Ferey Deputy A.F. Curtis Deputy B. Ward

Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson

THE STATES noted that, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 106, the following members declared an interest in the subject of the amendment of Deputy David James Warr of St. Helier South , in that they might benefit financially with regard to buy-to-let mortgages –

Deputy Montfort Tadier of St. Brelade

Deputy Kirsten Francis Morel of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity Deputy Ian Joseph Gorst of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter Deputy Kristina Louise Moore of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter Deputy Thomas Antony Coles of St. Helier South

Deputy David James Warr of St. Helier South

Deputy Hilary Louise Jeune of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity Deputy Thomas John Albert Binet of St. Saviour

THE  STATES,  rejected  the  amendment  of   Deputy  David  James   Warr  of  St.  Helier  South (P.70/2025 Amd.(14)) that, in paragraph (b)(xii), after the words "in the Appendix to the accompanying Report" there should be inserted the words –

", except that on page 31 after the words "increases in financial services", there should be inserted the words –

"The Minister for Treasury and Resources will undertake to re-introduce the policy of Mortgage Interest Tax Relief for personal income tax, with such relief to be implemented in January 2027".

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 13

Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy I. Gardiner

Deputy K.L. Moore

Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée Deputy D.J. Warr

CONTRE: 26

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Ouen Deputy S.G. Luce Deputy K.F. Morel Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier Deputy R.J. Ward Deputy I.J. Gorst

ABSTAINED: 2

Connétable of Grouville Deputy C.F. Labey

Deputy C.D. Curtis Deputy R.S. Kovacs Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson

Deputy L.J. Farnham Deputy S.Y. Mézec Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy H.M. Miles Deputy M.R. Scott Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy L.V. Feltham Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy H.L. Jeune Deputy M.E. Millar Deputy A. Howell

Deputy T.J.A. Binet Deputy M.R. Ferey Deputy A.F. Curtis Deputy B. Ward

Deputy M.B. Andrews

THE STATES noted that, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 106, the following Members declared an interest in the subject of the amendment of Deputy David James Warr of St. Helier South , in that they might benefit financially with regard to mortgages –

Deputy Carolyn Fiona Labey of Grouville and St. Martin

Deputy Montfort Tadier of St. Brelade

Deputy Louise Mary Catherine Doublet of St. Saviour

Deputy Robert James Ward of St. Helier Central

Deputy Carina Soares Alves of St. Helier Central

Deputy Ian Joseph Gorst of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter

Deputy Lyndon John Farnham of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter

Deputy Thomas Antony Coles of St. Helier South

Deputy Beatriz Borges de Sousa Vaz Moreno Porée of St. Helier South Deputy David James Warr of St. Helier South

Deputy Lyndsay Victoria Feltham of St. Helier Central

Deputy Rosemary Esther Binet of Grouville and St. Martin

Deputy Thomas John Albert Binet of St. Saviour

Deputy Lucy Kate Frances Stephenson of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter

Changes in Presidency

The Bailiff retired briefly from the Chamber during consideration of the amendment of Deputy David James Warr of St. Helier South (P.70/2025 Amd.(14)) to the proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2026-2029' (P.70/2025) and the meeting continued under the Presidency of Mrs Lisa-Marie Hart , Greffier of the States, until the Bailiff 's return.

Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2026-2029 P.70/2025

THE STATES, resumed consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers entitled Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2026-2029' (P.70/2025), as amended, and rejected an amendment of the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel (P.70/2025 Amd.(18)) that, in paragraph (b)(xii), after the words "as set in the Appendix to the accompanying report", there should be inserted the words –

", except that, on page 42, after Table 9, there should be inserted the words "Within the Revenue Head of Expenditure for the Cabinet Office, funding for Statistics and Analytics' should be increased by £80,000 in 2026 and 2027 and £130,000 in 2028 and 2029, through reallocation of other departmental expenditure within the Cabinet Office. This should be reflected in the Cabinet Office Service Level

Analysis tables contained within the Annex accompanying the Report (R.139/2025), entitled Part 2 – Heads of expenditure financial information' for the Cabinet Office.""

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 18  CONTRE: 25  ABSTAINED: 0

Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of St. Mary Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy I. Gardiner

Deputy K.L. Moore

Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy H.M. Miles

Deputy M.R. Scott

Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy C.D. Curtis

Deputy H.L. Jeune

Deputy R.S. Kovacs

Deputy A.F. Curtis

Deputy K.M. Wilson

Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. John Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy S.G. Luce Deputy K.F. Morel Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier Deputy R.J. Ward Deputy C.S. Alves Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy L.J. Farnham Deputy S.Y. Mézec Deputy T.A. Coles Deputy L.V. Feltham Deputy R.E. Binet Deputy M.E. Millar Deputy A. Howell Deputy T.J.A. Binet Deputy M.R. Ferey Deputy B. Ward

Deputy M.B. Andrews

THE STATES resumed consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, and rejected an amendment of the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel (P.70/2025 Amd.(17)) that, in paragraph (b)(xii), after the words "as set in the Appendix to the accompanying report", there should be inserted the words –

", except that, on page 42, after Table 9, there should be inserted the words "Within the Revenue Head of Expenditure for the Cabinet Office, funding for Children's Commissioner' should be increased by £61,000 in 2026, through reallocation of other departmental expenditure within the Cabinet Office. This should be reflected in the Cabinet Office Service Level Analysis table for 2026 contained within the Annex accompanying the Report (R.139/2025), entitled Part 2 – Heads of expenditure financial information' for the Cabinet Office.""

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 14

Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of St. Mary Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée

CONTRE: 26

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy C.F. Labey

ABSTAINED: 4

Deputy I. Gardiner Deputy K.L. Moore Deputy D.J. Warr Deputy A.F. Curtis

Deputy H.M. Miles Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy C.D. Curtis Deputy H.L. Jeune Deputy R.S. Kovacs Deputy K.M. Wilson Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson

Deputy S.G. Luce

Deputy K.F. Morel Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy L.J. Farnham Deputy S.Y. Mézec Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy M.R. Scott Deputy L.V. Feltham Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy M.E. Millar Deputy A. Howell

Deputy T.J.A. Binet Deputy M.R. Ferey Deputy B. Ward

Deputy M.B. Andrews

THE STATES, resuming consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, commenced  consideration  of  an  amendment  of   Deputy  Montfort   Tadier  of  St.  Brelade (P.70/2025 Amd.(33))  and,  adopting  an  amendment  of  the  Minister  for  Sustainable  Economic Development (P.70/2025 Amd.(33).Amd.(2)), agreed that, in part 1, after the words "This consolidation would" there should be inserted the words "not impact or include the funding provided to the Bailiff 's Chambers as part of arts, culture and heritage funding and would"; after the words "Jersey Library", there should be inserted the word "and" before the words "Community Compass"; and, after the words "Community Compass", the words "Jersey Music Service and Jèrriais teaching" should be deleted.

THE STATES, adopting the amendment of Deputy Montfort Tadier of St. Brelade , as amended, agreed that, in paragraph (b)(xii), after the words "as set in the Appendix to the accompanying Report" there should be inserted the words –

"except that, on page 47, after the words "Included in the annex" there should be inserted a new paragraph as follows –

"In order to ensure that budget allocations for arts, culture and heritage are managed in a simple and transparent manner, the Minister or Treasury and Resources shall work with the Minister  for  Sustainable  Economic  Development  during  2026  to  consolidate  all  relevant Government spend under the head of expenditure for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture within the Budget (Government Plan) 2027-2030. This consolidation would not impact or include the funding provided to the Bailiff 's Chambers as part of arts, culture and heritage funding and would exclude funding for entities such as Jersey Library and Community Compass which are considered to fall outside of the scope of the arts, culture and heritage funding line."".

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 44  CONTRE: 0  ABSTAINED: 0

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of Grouville

Connétable of St. Ouen Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy C.F. Labey

Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy S.G. Luce

Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy K.F. Morel

Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier

Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy I. Gardiner

Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy L.J. Farnham

Deputy K.L. Moore

Deputy S.Y. Mézec

Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy H.M. Miles

Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy C.D. Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham

Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy H.L. Jeune

Deputy M.E. Millar

Deputy A. Howell

Deputy T.J.A. Binet

Deputy M.R. Ferey

Deputy R.S. Kovacs

Deputy A.F. Curtis

Deputy B. Ward

Deputy K.M. Wilson

Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson Deputy M.B. Andrews

THE STATES noted that, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 106, Deputy Kristina Louise Moore of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter declared an interest in the subject of the amendment of Deputy Montfort Tadier of St. Brelade , in that she was a Non-Executive Director of Jersey Opera House.

THE STATES resumed consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, and rejected an amendment of Deputy Sir Philip Martin Bailhache of St. Clement (P.70/2025 Amd.(2)) that, in paragraph (b)(xii) –

after the words "Appendix to the accompanying Report", there should be inserted the words –

", except that –

1. on page 87, Table 41 – Health Insurance Fund, should be replaced with the following –

£'000  Estimate  Estimate  Estimate  Estimate Opening Balance  101,259  107,105  112,733  119,050 Social Security Contributions  68,000  70,000  73,000  75,000 Investment income  3,738  4,102  4,547  5,002 Social Benefit Payments  (59,253)  (62,002)  (64,567)  (67,345) Other expenditure  (6,639)  (6,472)  (6,663)  (6,938) Closing Balance  107,105  112,733  119,050  124,769

2. on page 88, after the words "skills of primary care staff." there should be inserted a new paragraph as follows –

"From 2026 the proportion of class 1 and class 2 social security contributions on earnings below the standard earnings limit, paid into the Health Insurance Fund, will increase from 2% to 2.5%. This is estimated to increase contributions paid into the Fund by £14 million in 2026, increasing to £15 million by 2029. This does not change the overall contribution rates paid by employers or employees.";

3. on page 88, before the words, "The value of the Fund is expected to fall to around £61 million  by  2029",  there  should  be  inserted  the  words,  "Without  the  increase  in contributions";
4. on page 90, after the words "range of working age benefits", there should be inserted a new paragraph as follows –

"From 2026 the proportion of class 1 and class 2 social security contributions on earnings below the standard earnings limit, paid into the Social Security Fund, will decrease from 10.5% to 10%. This is estimated to decrease contributions paid into the Fund by £14 million in 2026, increasing to £15 million by 2029. This does not change the overall contributions rates paid by employers or employees."; and

on page 91, Table 43 – Social Security Fund should be replaced with the following –

(v)

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 14

Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy S.M. Ahier

CONTRE: 28

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Clement

ABSTAINED: 1 Deputy J. Renouf

STATES MINUTES

Deputy I. Gardiner Deputy K.L. Moore Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy H.M. Miles Deputy H.L. Jeune Deputy M.R. Ferey Deputy A.F. Curtis Deputy B. Ward

Deputy K.M. Wilson

11th December 2025

Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Mary

Deputy G.P. Southern

Deputy C.F. Labey

Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy S.G. Luce

Deputy K.F. Morel

Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat

Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy L.J. Farnham

Deputy S.Y. Mézec

Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée   Deputy C.D. Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham

Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy M.E. Millar

Deputy A. Howell

Deputy T.J.A. Binet

Deputy R.S. Kovacs

Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson Deputy M.B. Andrews

THE STATES, resuming consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, commenced  consideration  of  an  amendment  of  the  Health  and  Social  Security  Scrutiny  Panel (P.70/2025 Amd.(11))  and,  adopting  an  amendment  of  the  Council  of  Ministers (P.70/2025 Amd.(11).Amd.(2)), agreed that –

for the words "in other areas to be addressed" there should be substituted "the States grant will revert to its formula value from 2030 onwards";

the words "Given the apparently strong financial position of the Social Security Fund which has led the government to propose a reduction in the States grant," should be deleted;

after the words "further commits to" there should be inserted "providing options";

the words "resolving overpayments of social security contributions" should be deleted;

after the words "full contribution record" there should be inserted "prior to reaching pensionable age"; the words "funding" should be deleted;

after the word "proposals" there should be inserted "by the end of 2026"; and

the words "within the next Proposed Budget 2027-2030" should be deleted.

THE STATES, adopting the amendment of Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel, as amended, agreed that, in paragraph (b)(xii), after the words "in the Appendix to the accompanying report" there should be inserted the words –

", except that on page 90 after the words "the States grant will revert to its formula value from 2030 onwards." there should be inserted the words –

"The Minister for Social Security further commits to providing options for those who have achieved a full contribution record prior to reaching pensionable age to ensure a fair deal for the individuals affected and will bring forward proposals by the end of 2026.""

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 43  CONTRE: 0  ABSTAINED: 0

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy C.F. Labey

Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy K.F. Morel

Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier

Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy I. Gardiner

Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy L.J. Farnham

Deputy K.L. Moore

Deputy S.Y. Mézec

Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy H.M. Miles

Deputy M.R. Scott

Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy C.D. Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham

Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy H.L. Jeune

Deputy M.E. Millar

Deputy A. Howell

Deputy T.J.A. Binet

Deputy M.R. Ferey

Deputy R.S. Kovacs

Deputy A.F. Curtis

Deputy B. Ward

Deputy K.M. Wilson

Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson Deputy M.B. Andrews

Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2026-2029 P.70/2025

THE STATES resumed consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers and, adopting an amendment of the Minister for Treasury and Resources (P.70/2025 Amd.(36)) proposed in accordance with Standing Order 80A, agreed that, in paragraph (b)(xii), after the words "Appendix 2 – Summary Tables 5(i) and (ii) of the Report", there should be inserted the words –

", except that in Summary Table 5 (i) –

The heads of expenditure shall be reduced in accordance with the table below –

"
ABSTAINED: 0

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 38  CONTRE: 4

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of Trinity Connétable of St. John Connétable of St. Clement Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy C.F. Labey

Deputy M. Tadier Deputy H.M. Miles Deputy K.M. Wilson Deputy M.B. Andrews

Deputy S.G. Luce

Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy K.F. Morel

Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy S.M. Ahier

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy I. Gardiner

Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy L.J. Farnham

Deputy K.L. Moore

Deputy S.Y. Mézec

Deputy Sir P.M. Bailhache Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy M.R. Scott

Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy C.D. Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham

Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy H.L. Jeune

Deputy M.E. Millar

Deputy A. Howell

Deputy T.J.A. Binet

Deputy M.R. Ferey

Deputy A.F. Curtis

Deputy B. Ward

Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson

THE STATES resumed consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers, as amended, and, adopting the proposition, as amended and with paragraphs re-designated accordingly in line with the amendments that had been adopted, received the Government Plan 2026 – 2029 specified in Article 9(1) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019 ("the Law") and specifically –

1. in accordance with Article 16 of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019 (the Law) approved an amendment to the Government Plan 2025 – 2028 (entitled "Budget 2025 – 2028") to a reduction in the 2025 head of expenditure "Grants to States Funds" as included in Table 5(i) Revenue Heads of Expenditure of that Government Plan from £119,821,000 to £69,821,000;
2. received the Government Plan 2026 – 2029 (entitled "Budget 2026-2029") specified in Article 9(1) of the Law and specifically –

1. approved the estimate of total States income to be paid into the Consolidated Fund in 2026 as set out in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 1 to the Report, which was inclusive of the proposed taxation and impôts duties changes outlined in the Government Plan, in line with Article 9(2)(a) of the Law; and
2. referred to their Act dated 24th June 2003 in which they approved that no new user pays' charges be introduced without any such charge receiving prior in principle approval by the States Assembly and accordingly approved the introduction of two new charges, to be levied by Health and Care Jersey to promote appropriate use of the Emergency Department and for repeated  non-attendance  of  outpatient  appointments,  detailed  in  the  section  entitled "Departmental Income Sources" as set out in the Appendix to the accompanying Report, except that –

1. on page 27, for the words "bringing forward two new fees to be introduced during 2026" there should be substituted the words "implementation in 2026 of the planned Did  not  attend'  fees  and  the  development  of  detailed  proposals,  that  would  be presented for approval by the States Assembly, for the introduction of fees encouraging the appropriate use of the Emergency Department"; and
2. on page 28, for the words "Both fees will be introduced during 2026 after a period of advance public communications" there should be substituted the words "The Did not attend'  fees  will  be  introduced  during  2026  after  a  period  of  advance  public communications. However, the proposed Emergency Department fees will not be introduced  until  detailed,  evidence-based  proposals  (including  but  not  limited  to ensuring that free access for genuine emergencies is not compromised and maintaining the safety and wellbeing of health care staff) have been presented to and approved by the States Assembly";

3. approved the proposed Changes to Approval for financing/borrowing for 2026, as shown in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 2 to the Report, which might be obtained by the Minister for Treasury and Resources, as and when required, in line with Article 9 (2)(c) of the Law, of up to those revised approval amounts;
4. approved the transfers from one States fund to another for 2026 of up to and including the amounts set in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 3 in line with Article 9(2)(b) of the Law;
5. approved a transfer from the Consolidated Fund to the Stabilisation Fund in 2026 of up to £50 million, subject to a decision of the Minister for Treasury and Resources based on the availability of funds in the Consolidated Fund as at 31st December 2025 in excess of the estimates provided  in this plan,  or from budgeted underspends  identified  before  31st December 2026;
6. approved a transfer from the Consolidated Fund to the Agricultural Loans Fund in 2026 of up to £5 million, subject to a decision of the Minister for Treasury and Resources based on availability of funds in the Consolidated Fund as at 31st December 2025 in excess of estimates provided in this plan, provided that no more than 10% of the total funding allocated to the Agricultural Loans Fund were to be given for the purpose of supporting the cultivation in Jersey of cannabis-based products for medicinal use or from budgeted underspends identified before 31st December 2026;
7. approved each major project that should be started or continued in 2026 and the total cost of each such project and any amendments to the proposed total cost of a major project under a previously approved Government Plan, in line with Article 9(2)(d), (e) and (f) of the Law and as set out in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 4 to the Report;

(viii)  approved the proposed amount to be appropriated from the Consolidated Fund for 2026,

for each head of expenditure, being gross expenditure less estimated income (if any), in line with Articles 9(2)(g), 10(1) and 10(2) of the Law, and set out in Appendix 2 – Summary Tables 5(i) and (ii) of the Report, except that –

1. in Summary Table 5 (i) –

The heads of expenditure shall be reduced in accordance with the table below –

2. in Summary Table  5(i) the  expenditure  proposal for the  Cabinet Office head of expenditure should include the budget for the Jersey Public Services Ombudsperson, totalling £398,000. A separate service area should be created within the Cabinet Office entitled the "Jersey Public Services Ombudsperson" and reported in the Annex to the Budget;
3. in "Summary Table 5(i) – Revenue Heads of Expenditure", within the Cabinet Office Head of Expenditure for 2026 resources should be made available for the development of policy mechanisms to address empty residential properties, should it be required;
4. in Table 5(i) the Departmental Head of Expenditure for the Environment should be increased by £656,000, with any consequential amendments to be reflected as necessary throughout the Budget;
5. in Summary Table 5(i), the head of expenditure for "Health and Care Jersey" should be reduced by £240,000 and the head of expenditure entitled "States of Jersey Police" shall be increased by £240,000;
6. in Summary Table 5(ii) there should be inserted a new row entitled "Neighbourhood Regeneration of St. Helier " with an allocation of £167,000 to each of 2026, 2027 and 2028, and a corresponding decrease for each year to the row titled Infrastructure Rolling Vote and Public Realm;

9. approved the estimated income, being estimated gross income less expenditure, that each States trading operation would pay into its trading fund in 2026 in line with Article 9(2)(h) of the Law and set out in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 6 to the Report;
10. approved the proposed amount to be appropriated from each States trading operation's trading fund for 2026 for each head of expenditure in line with Article 9(2)(i) of the Law and set out in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 7 to the Report;
11. approved the estimated income and expenditure proposals for the Climate Emergency Fund for 2026 as set out in Appendix 2 – Summary Table 8 to the Report; and

12. approved, in accordance with Article 9(1) of the Law, the Government Plan 2026-2029, as set in the Appendix to the accompanying Report, except that –

1. on page 21, the table entitled "Figure 12 – Economic Wellbeing Risks" should be renamed  "Figure  12  –  Environmental  Wellbeing  Risks"  and  a  new  line  entitled "Climate Emergency" should be inserted as follows –

2. on page 36 after the words "future Budgets", there should be inserted a new paragraph as follows –

"Stamp Duty Holiday for Right-Sizing Homes

The Government will undertake an investigation to establish a stamp duty holiday for those who are purchasing properties to down-size, alongside a framework to accurately track these transactions. A down-sizing transaction will be defined as one that involves those who are selling their current home to purchase a home with fewer bedrooms. The purpose of this stamp duty holiday will be to further incentivise right-sizing to increase the supply of family homes.";

3. on page 42, immediately after Table 9, there should be inserted the following new paragraph –

"The budget for a Jersey Public Services Ombudsperson in the Cabinet Office head of expenditure, totalling £398,000, has been ring-fenced to ensure that this budget should not  be  used  for  any  other  States'  purpose  than  the  Jersey  Public  Services Ombudsperson, to ensure that this undertaking is incorporated into the workstream of any new Government and funded accordingly.";

4. on page 45 after the words "included in Budget 2027.", there should be inserted the words –

"In order to support this, a draft proposal and expenditure for the new Violence Against Women and Girls legislation will be published in advance of April 2026 alongside a progress report of Recommendations implemented up to 1st May 2026, as part of the 2026 Violence Against Women and Girls: Annual Progress Report.";

5. on page 45, after the words "improve the health of Islanders." there should be inserted the words –

"The Minister for Health and Social Services will produce a roadmap for delivering preventative health outcomes through a phased, evidence-led, whole-system approach. The Minister will involve the Wider Determinants of Health Ministerial Group in developing  the roadmap to ensure ministerial accountability for the delivery and outcomes of the roadmap.";

6. on page 45, after the words "to all 2–3-year-olds", there should be inserted a new paragraph as follows –

"During 2026 the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning will collect, collate and analyse the necessary data to explore the feasibility of provision of free school meals to all non-fee-paying primary schools and additional households, including, but not limited to, single-parent families and, if feasible, households that would otherwise qualify for Income Support were they not owner-occupiers of a mortgaged residence, reporting to the Assembly prior to the end of 2026.";

7. on page 45, after the words "improve the health of Islanders." there should be inserted the following new paragraph –

"During 2026, the Minister for Health and Social Services will publish a Women's Health Strategy, which will be informed by the Women's Health and Wellbeing Joint Strategic Needs Assessment 2024.";

8. on page 47, after the words "Budgets for arts, culture and heritage funding will increase in future years, with inflation allocations for pay and non-pay.", there should be inserted the words –

"The Education and Lifelong Learning Head of Expenditure includes funding in the sum of £670,700 for promoting and teaching the language of Jèrriais. This will be specifically ringfenced for one year for this purpose and, also, further work will develop and renew the Jèrriais language strategy, which expires in 2025."

9. on page 47, after the words "Included in the annex" there should be inserted a new paragraph as follows –

"In order to ensure that budget allocations for arts, culture and heritage are managed in a simple and transparent manner, the Minister or Treasury and Resources shall work with the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development during 2026 to consolidate all  relevant  Government  spend  under  the  head  of  expenditure  for  Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture within the Budget (Government Plan) 2027- 2030. This consolidation would not impact or include the funding provided to the Bailiff 's Chambers as part of arts, culture and heritage funding and would exclude funding  for  entities  such  as  Jersey  Library  and  Community  Compass  which  are considered to fall outside of the scope of the arts, culture and heritage funding line.";

10. on page 60, after the words "to revitalise St. Helier ." there should be inserted a new paragraph as follows –

"The Budget allocates £167,000 in each of 2026, 2027 and 2028 to provide funding for the specific regeneration of St. Helier Neighbourhoods, as previously agreed within the Amendment to the 23rd Amendment to the Proposed Budget (Government Plan) 2025- 2028."; and

11. on page 60, in Table 25 – Infrastructure, there should be inserted a new row entitled

"Neighbourhood Regeneration of St. Helier " with an allocation of £167,000 to each of 2026, 2027 and 2028, and a corresponding decrease for each year to the row entitled Infrastructure Rolling Vote and Public Realm"; and

12. on page 90 after the words "the States grant will revert to its formula value from 2030 onwards." there should be inserted the words –

"The Minister for Social Security further commits to providing options for those who have achieved a full contribution record prior to reaching pensionable age to ensure a fair deal for the individuals affected and will bring forward proposals by the end of 2026.".

Members present voted as follows –

POUR: 29

Connétable of St. Helier Connétable of St. Brelade Connétable of St. John Connétable of Grouville Connétable of St. Mary Connétable of St. Saviour Deputy G.P. Southern Deputy C.F. Labey

Deputy M. Tadier

Deputy S.G. Luce

Deputy L.M.C. Doublet Deputy M.R. Le Hegarat Deputy R.J. Ward

Deputy C.S. Alves

Deputy I.J. Gorst

Deputy L.J. Farnham

Deputy S.Y. Mézec

Deputy T.A. Coles

Deputy B.B. de S.V.M. Porée Deputy D.J. Warr

Deputy C.D. Curtis

Deputy L.V. Feltham

Deputy R.E. Binet

Deputy M.E. Millar

Deputy A. Howell

Deputy T.J.A. Binet

Deputy M.R. Ferey

Deputy R.S. Kovacs

Deputy B. Ward

CONTRE: 10

Connétable of St. Clement Deputy S.M. Ahier Deputy I. Gardiner Deputy K.L. Moore Deputy H.M. Miles Deputy J. Renouf

Deputy H.L. Jeune Deputy A.F. Curtis Deputy K.M. Wilson Deputy M.B. Andrews

ABSTAINED: 1

Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson

Changes in Presidency

The Bailiff retired briefly from the Chamber during consideration of the proposition of the Council of Ministers  entitled  Proposed  Budget  (Government  Plan)  2026-2029'  (P.70/2025)  and  the  meeting continued under the Presidency of Mrs. Lisa-Marie Hart , Greffier of the States, until the Bailiff 's return.

Adjournment

THE STATES adjourned, having agreed to reconvene on Friday 12th December 2025 to consider the remaining outstanding items of public business.

THE STATES rose at 7.53 p.m.

L.-M. HART Greffier of the States