Government spending on temporary external workers rose by £1.6 million in the first half of this year, driven primarily by work to tackle ageing IT systems and improve cyber security.
The bill for “contingent labour” – external workers engaged to carry out government operations and deliver services – increased by approximately 35%, from £4.6m in January–June 2025 to £6.2m in the same period this year.
A newly published government report attributed the rise mainly to Digital Services programmes to replace ageing infrastructure, modernise critical systems and address “technical debt” – the backlog of work needed to improve existing technology.
“These programmes require specialist skills that are not readily available within the permanent workforce and are time-limited in nature,” the report stated.
“Whilst this has increased expenditure in the short term, the work is intended to reduce operational risk and improve the sustainability of government systems over the longer term.”
The increase came despite an overall fall in spending on consultants, contingent labour and agency staff, from £18.3m to £16.7m compared with the first six months of last year.
That combined bill is now 58% below the £39.6m recorded in the equivalent period in 2023.
Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham, said: “Making this saving of almost 60% reflects the continuing focus we have on tightening control of public spending.
“This is about building a stronger and more cost-effective public service with greater in-house capability to provide the services Islanders rely on every day.”
The report lists extensive external support for Digital Services, including work on cyber security, networks, applications and replacement equipment.
One entry records spending of £450,000–£500,000 with Prosperity Group Limited for “backfill or short-term support”.
Other entries include £200,000–£250,000 with Triverto Limited for work described as “Application Remediation”.
The figures cover expenditure during the six-month reporting period, rather than the full value of contracts.
Meanwhile, consultancy spending fell from £2m to £1.4m and agency expenditure dropped from £11.7m to £9.1m.
The government said tighter controls, improved workforce planning and recruitment have helped reduce its overall reliance on external resources.
Its newly lodged Common Strategic Policy for 2026–2030 includes a commitment to a leaner public sector with lower running costs and tight controls on external staffing.
“External expertise should be used only where there is a clear and evidenced need, appropriate approval and demonstrable value for money,” the report said.
