The States of Jersey reported an increase in spending on consultants, agency workers, and other external staff in 2023 compared to the previous year.
The chief minister's report detailed the costs associated with consultants, fixed-term employees, and agency staff employed by the Government of Jersey over each six-month period. Overall, expenditures rose by approximately £6 million between 2022 and 2023. While spending on agency staff and consultants increased, costs for casual labour, fixed-term contractors, and local agency workers decreased.
Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham's report is part of a broader initiative to "curb expenditure on third-party resources."
According to the findings, costs rose by £3 million, from £53.9 million to £56.9 million, between January and June 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. A similar increase occurred from July to December 2023, with costs rising from £63 million to £66 million compared to the corresponding timeframe the previous year.
The report noted that certain technical specialists, such as architects and doctors, were excluded from these figures, as it was determined they did not fit within the intended disclosures.
It emphasised that the Government’s struggle to attract permanent and fixed-term employees for specific roles is ongoing, largely influenced by changing global and economic conditions, which has resulted in shortages of various skill sets.