Jersey’s States Assembly has adopted the Government of Jersey’s Common Strategic Policy, backing a programme that puts targeted action on the cost of living alongside competitiveness, housing and infrastructure investment, and financial stability. Members voted 31 in favour, 10 against, with two abstentions, on the policy setting the Council of Ministers’ priorities for the political term running until 2030.
The four pillars frame the government’s stated aims for the island: helping households with living costs, restoring Jersey’s competitiveness, investing in homes and infrastructure, and maintaining financial stability. Ministers first published the proposed policy in September, and members debated backbench amendments before adopting it.
Transparency priority added as total rises to 12
One amendment accepted during the debate added a priority on government transparency and promoting democracy. That took the number of priorities in the policy from 11 to 12. Members rejected other proposed changes, including amendments from Reform Jersey co-leader Lyndsay Feltham that would have added actions on household affordability and employment rights. A move to include a reference to rental stress was also voted down.
Farnham points to affordability as Feltham seeks sustained action
Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham said the government was determined to make Jersey a more affordable place to live. In his closing speech, he said members’ contributions reflected a shared commitment to securing the best possible future for the island, and that the policy would send an important message to islanders that their interests were being put before political disagreements. He said the policy recognised concerns including affordability, housing, economic growth, infrastructure investment and environmental protection.
Feltham said the policy lacked real action. She said she wanted a more sustained commitment to reducing everyday living costs, and warned that a promised review of household affordability would not by itself put food on the table or a roof over somebody’s head. She said she was concerned ministers would not take concrete action, and pointed to the gaps left by the rejected amendments.