Newsletter February 2026

Research report on early years

A research report Early Years was published on 8 January. Key points –

• The first few years of a child’s life provide the foundation for everything that follows. 
• Early years support policies are important for maximising the return on public expenditure. 
• Births in Jersey have fallen from 1,008 in 2016 to 716 in 2024. 
• Early-years services are provided by state primary schools, private nurseries, regulated child-minders and accredited nannies. 
• Childcare costs in Jersey are high. Average fees are almost 50% higher than in England.
• Financial assistance for childcare includes tax allowances, income-support payments and direct support for 2-4 year-olds.
• Jersey’s performance in respect of the percentage of reception children at expected level of development is more than 10% below the Government’s target.

Updated report on election turnout

A revised edition of the Centre’s report Election turnout in Jersey was published on 11 January. It includes details of the recent Guernsey election and a survey on intentions to vote in the 2026 Jersey election. Key points –

• Turnout in Jersey over the past 30 years has averaged 44% – lower than in all OECD countries.
• Turnout is higher among older people, owner-occupiers and those living in country parishes.
• Logistical changes planned for the 2026 election may physically help some people vote, but are unlikely to significantly increase turnout.

Think piece on money laundering

A  think piece on Money Laundering by the Centre’s Senior Adviser, Mark Boleat, was published on 4 January.  Key points –

• As elsewhere, financial institutions in Jersey are required to file suspicious activity reports (SARs). The bar for reporting a SAR is low.
• In most jurisdictions the authorities have a limited time in which to respond and take action or the transaction can proceed. In Jersey, there are no time limits, so the effect can be that transactions are frozen indefinitely without the customer being told why.
• If Jersey is to be seen internationally as trusted, dependable and fair, the rules governing SAR consent must reflect those values.

 

Policy Briefs updated

The Centre’s 30 Policy Briefs cover all current policy issues and are regularly updated or expanded.  In January –

• Regulation of taxis was updated to include the results of a public survey of attitudes to the taxi service and a report on the taxi service in Guernsey.
• Hospital was expanded to cover the history of the various proposals to replace the existing hospital and the current position.
• 2026 Election was updated to include the many legal changes following the decision to reinstate the position of senator.
• Economic trends was updated to include the latest RPI figures.
• Population policy was updated to include details from the annual population policy report.
• Primary and Secondary Education was expanded to include the most detailed statistics currently available on schools and their students and summaries of all relevant reports.

Knowledge paper Jersey in Brief updated

The Centre’s 14 in-depth Knowledge Centre papers explore various aspects of Jersey, such as its history, political system, and economy. An over-arching paper Jersey in Brief has been revised to include updated information on the political system and the economy.

Research projects

The Centre has completed a research project for the government on reducing red tape. Two reports have been produced, one dealing specifically with planning and other covering the general issue. They will be published in February.

The Centre has been commissioned by the Minister for Health and Social Services to undertake a project to assist him in determining the future form of Jersey’s Medicine and Medical technology regulatory system. The report is due to be published in February.

In March 2025 the Centre published a report Top Issues for Islanders, analysing the results of a survey of the issues that most concern the public.  Cost of living, the health service/hospital, housing and faith in government were the top issues. The survey is currently being repeated. The results will be published in March.