Jersey’s most senior civil servant is facing pressure to justify recent government restructuring, with scrutineers demanding to know how much redundancies, new hires and consultancy fees have cost the public purse.
The Public Accounts Committee – the panel of politicians responsible for keeping an eye on spending – has sent a letter to CEO Andrew McLaughlin, demanding detailed information on the restructuring bill so far and whether the changes will actually deliver long-term savings.
The letter, sent by PAC Chair Deputy Inna Gardiner, follows a public hearing on 12 February, where officials failed to answer key questions about staffing changes, redundancies, and department reorganisations.
Her committee is particularly concerned about the money spent on the restructuring, and is asking for details on “overall cost savings” and “any redundancy packages, consultancy fees, or administrative expenses” paid during the reorganisation.
It has also requested information on any new positions created and their associated recruitment costs, as well as how restructuring costs compare to projected long-term savings.
PAC members are also examining the recent changes to Jersey’s health system, questioning whether further consultation will take place, who will be consulted, and how feedback has been recorded.
It comes after Health Minister Tom Binet earlier this week defended his decision not to hold a public consultation on the widespread changes — despite previously saying he would — arguing that consultation was unnecessary for internal changes.
The government’s communications team, which underwent significant cuts in October, is another focus of the PAC’s questions.
The committee wants to know how many communications staff were moved to other roles, how many left their jobs, and how much was spent on redundancy packages.
As Express reported at the time, the October cuts reportedly reduced the communications team to about half its previous size, with the central press office closing and at least 11 staff members either made redundant or moved to other positions.
These changes were expected to save over half-a-million pounds annually, after it emerged in 2023 that government spending on communications staff exceeded £2.4 million.
Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham had previously identified the Cabinet Office, communications department, and senior and middle management roles as areas for potential staffing reductions as part of efforts to control public sector spending.
The PAC is also asking who has taken over responsibilities previously handled by the Director of Education, a position made redundant in late 2024.
This comes after it was announced that Seán O’Regan, the government’s Chief Education Officer, will step down in 2025.
The committee wants clarification on which officers now oversee key functions such as the School Review Framework, Professional Standards, and Safeguarding.
Dr McLaughlin has until 11 March to respond to these questions, with both the letter and his response set to be published on the States Assembly website.