The Jersey Labour Market 2025 – Public Sector Jobs: Growth, Control Measures, and Cost Savings

Summary

In June 2025 the total number of jobs in Jersey was 65,320.2, the highest ever recorded.  This was made up of 55,370 jobs in the private sector and 9,940 jobs in the public sector.  There was an annual increase of 110 jobs (up 0.2%) since June 2024.  In the private sector there was an annual decrease of 130 jobs (down 0.2%). In the public sector there was an annual increase of 230 jobs (up 2.4%). This increase was driven by an increase of 280 in the number of Government of Jersey (GOJ) core jobs (permanent and fixed term employees). The departments with the largest annual increase in core staff were Health and Care Jersey (up 220) and Children, Young People, Education and Skills (up 120). Read the full Labour Market report

Why Public Sector Jobs Increased 2024 – 2025

Between 2019 and 2025, the number of Government of Jersey (GoJ) core employees rose from 7,020 to 8,800 (headcount), and from 6,750 to 8,120 full-time equivalent (FTE) posts, an increase of around 20%.

The growth 2024 – 2025 reflects strategic investment in essential frontline services, particularly in areas that directly benefit Islanders:

• Health and Community Services: +220 roles in the last year, primarily nurses, midwives, and public health professionals.
• Children, Young People, Education and Skills (CYPES): +120 roles, mainly teachers, teaching assistants, and school support staff.

Curbing the Growth

“Curbing the Growth” is the Government’s strategy to control public expenditure and the size of the public sector workforce, while prioritising essential frontline services.

This approach aims to address concerns about the long-term sustainability of public finances and living standards in Jersey.

Key elements of the strategy include:

• Public sector growth: The workforce grew by almost 5% between December 2023 and December 2024, prompting renewed action to control expansion.
• Recruitment freeze: A freeze on non-frontline roles was introduced in August 2024 and has been extended through March 2026.
• Strategic focus: Recruitment efforts are now concentrated on essential frontline services, enabling the elimination of some posts and greater efficiency.
• Extended scope: The freeze now covers roles at Civil Service Grade 9 and above, and all non-clinical, non-teaching, and non-social work positions in certain departments.
• Developing local talent: The Government aims to reduce reliance on external consultants and invest in developing skills within the local workforce.

Impact of the Recruitment Freeze

Following the introduction of the recruitment freeze in August 2024, FTE numbers initially continued to rise (+198 FTE) due to pre-freeze recruitment already in progress. People Services estimates that the average time to fill a vacancy is now over 100 days.

Since November 2024, however, a clear slowdown in FTE growth has been recorded. As of 31 May 2025, both headcount and FTE had decreased, a sign that the freeze is beginning to take effect.

Modelling suggests that, without these measures, the public sector would have reached 8,447 FTE posts by July 2025 – approximately 257 higher than the actual figure. Based on average total employment costs (salary, pension, and overheads), this equates to an estimated £18.2 million in annual cost avoidance, generating recurring future savings.

Fiscal Discipline

The recruitment freeze demonstrates the Government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and sustainable public finances, while continuing to protect and invest in frontline services that directly support Islanders.

The Government remains focused on curbing further growth in the public sector by departmental reorganisation and streamlining management structures. This will be achieved without compromising frontline services, ensuring that resources are directed where they deliver the greatest benefit to Islanders and to the Island’s long-term financial sustainability