The Government has reiterated its focus on “curbing growth” after new figures revealed that Jersey’s public sector grew by almost 5% last year.
Published this week, Statistics Jersey’s Labour Market Report found that there was an increase of 430 jobs in the public sector from December 2023 to December 2024 – amounting to a 4.6% increase.
In comparison, there was an increase of 100 jobs in the private sector – a rise of just 0.2%.
That means for every one private sector job added last year, more than four public sector jobs were created.
In the last five years, public sector jobs have increased by 21.5% – compared to an increase of 5.6% across all sectors and 3.1% in the private sector.
This is despite repeated pledges from Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham to “curb growth” in the public sector upon being elected to the top job in February last year.
Deputy Farnham announced a public sector recruitment freeze last August aimed at non-essential, non-frontline, and senior civil service posts earning £66,000 and above.
It was scheduled to last for at least nine months, with a pledge to review it after six.
In April, the freeze was extended to include civil servants earning £53,500 or more until at least March 2026.
It does not apply to any clinical, teaching or social worker roles.
The latest Labour Market Report showed that the Government departments with the largest annual increase were Health Care Jersey – which increased by 190 jobs – and Children, Young People, Education and Skills – which increased by 170 between December 2023 and 2024.
Following the report’s publication, Vice-Chair of the States Employment Board Deputy Malcolm Ferey said: “The increase in public sector employment in 2024 was driven by additional investment in our health services, as we seek to improve care and manage the ageing demographic.
“2024 was this Government’s first year in office and to restrain public sector expenditure we introduced a freeze on the recruitment of non-front-line staff. This recruitment freeze has recently been extended until 2026.
“These measures are now controlling and curbing public sector employment growth, especially in central departments such as the Cabinet Office which reduced in size by 80 staff in 2024.”
Deputy Ferey added: “The Government remains focused on curbing growth in the public sector and will continue to ensure that our recruitment prioritises front line services.”
Jersey’s labour market report is published every six months and covers key aspects of jobs in the workforce for both the public and private sectors.