States immigration policy smashed

Wednesday 22 June 2016

Jersey’s population has grown to almost 103,000 on the back of what's described as a “strong economic resurgence” - but that rise means the government has smashed its own immigration numbers by almost five times.

The States interim population policy - which has expired, but not been replaced - targets net migration (the number of people arriving minus the number leaving) of 325 a year - newly released figures show that the actual figure was a whopping 1,500 in 2015, the largest increase this millennium. The increase is three times the projection for population growth used by some States departments for planning purposes.

The resident population actually grew by approximately 1,700 last year -- with 1,500 people added to the Island through net migration and 220 more through natural change (number of births minus deaths).

This is the biggest number attributed to net migration since the Island began collecting these statistics in 2000.

Commenting on the release of the Jersey Resident Population figures for 2015 by the Statistics department, the Assistant Minister responsible for Finance, Digital, Competition and Innovation, Senator Philip Ozouf said the figures, “..point toward stronger economic growth than we had probably dared hope for.”

He said growth has particularly been seen in the finance, digital and construction sectors – which are bringing in more and more workers.

Among the incomers last year were 400 licensed employees (formerly J-category) and their dependants and 1,100 registered worked and their dependents.

The overall population has grown 13 percent over the past ten years – rising from 11,700 over than time, from 91,000 in 2005.

Chief Statistician Duncan Gibaut noted that for purposes of policy making, Jersey operated on a projection that net migration will grow by 325 annually. In 2015 that number was almost quintupled.

In the last ten years, net migration has consistently exceeded that projection.

A new 20-year plan is currently under development but Assistant Chief Minister Paul Routier, who has responsibility for population policy, has said that will be a major piece of work.

“This Council of Ministers has been clear that we need to deliver economic growth to ensure that we can maintain our quality of life as our society ages,” he said earlier this year.

“This means investing in health and education, sustainable public finances, sufficient and better housing, and good quality infrastructure and public services. We now intend to involve islanders in developing a plan for Jersey for the next 20 years. This will begin in the next few months.

“Population policy should be an integral part of this Long Term Plan. In the meantime, the principles of the Interim Population Policy, as embedded in the Strategic Plan and Medium Term Financial Plan, remain appropriate, and will be applied using the Control of Housing and Work Law until the Long Term Plan is agreed.

“This will provide stability and continuity in this important area while we make important decisions for our long-term future.”