Newsletter – June 2026

General election

Jersey’s General Election was held on Sunday 7 June. The Policy Centre’s publications provided essential briefing material for candidates as well as explaining how the political system works.  The Centre will publish a comprehensive analysis of the election results, concentrating in particular on voter turnout.

Think Piece on special educational needs

On 18 May the Policy Centre published a Think Piece Jersey’s SEND crisis: costs, challenges and the case for reform by educationalist Peter Fekete. The paper notes that Jersey’s SEND system is under significant strain, with rising demand, escalating costs and inconsistent outcomes –

The 2025 Island SEND Review found that leadership, organisation and oversight of inclusive education are “not sufficiently effective”, creating inconsistent experiences for children. A reactive, complaint‑driven culture absorbs staff time and prevents timely support, while delays in identifying needs lead to higher long‑term costs. Expertise exists but it is under‑used, and morale across the system is low.

The paper comments that –

The Government’s Immediate Priorities Plan (2025–26) focuses on structural reorganisation, but these strategic changes have yet to improve day‑to‑day experiences. The approach mirrors UK reforms, which also emphasise inclusive education and early identification but acknowledge that current systems are “ineffective and inefficient” despite major funding increases.

Think Piece on waste management

On 27 May the Policy Centre published a Think Piece by lead researcher Jennifer Bridge, examining the options facing Jersey’s next government on waste management and the conditions under which each could be pursued.

The paper, From bin to biogas: is kerbside food waste collection the missing link in Jersey’s waste management strategy?, sets out the evidence on Jersey’s current recycling performance, international comparators, and the questions that would need to be resolved before any major infrastructure decision is taken.

Jennifer Bridge said: “Jersey recycles around 35% of its waste, below the EU average of 48.1%, and around half of our nearest neighbour, Guernsey. When they introduced their waste management framework they not only improved their recycling but significantly reduced the overall amount of waste produced. By contrast, Jersey is currently producing double the amount of ‘black bag’ waste as Guernsey.”

The paper examines Jersey’s waste management framework and considers whether Island Energy’s proposed £25–30 million anaerobic digestion plant at La Collette, could have a role to play. The paper identifies a number of conditions that would need to be met before it could proceed; including collection governance, PFAS risk, soil capacity for digestate, and the adequacy of Jersey’s odour regulation, which the States of Jersey Complaints Board has previously found to require review.

Jennifer explains, “The Energy Recovery Facility at La Collette is expected to reach the end of its operational life in 2036. Infrastructure projects of this scale typically require a lead-in period of around ten years, meaning the incoming government will need to establish a direction of travel early in the next term.”

The paper recommends five actions to support an informed decision: an independent waste strategy review in early course; legislation for an island-wide collection framework; an AD feasibility study; reform of odour regulation; and formal consultation with Jersey’s premium agricultural producers on the digestate question.

Discussion meeting on financial inclusion

On 28 May the Policy Centre Jersey hosted a discussion meeting on financial inclusion, The conversation highlighted the complex and evolving nature of financial inclusion in Jersey, touching on cash access, digital capability, banking barriers, and the wider social challenges that shape people’s financial resilience.

• Financial exclusion affects a wide range of islanders, including those with poor credit histories, people leaving prison, low‑income households, and victims of domestic or financial abuse. Once excluded, individuals often struggle to re‑enter the mainstream banking system.
• Digital exclusion and financial exclusion increasingly overlap. People who are not digitally connected are disadvantaged not only in banking but also in healthcare and other public services.
• Cash use is declining, but remains vital for many. Although many retailers are moving towards card‑only payments, most will still accept cash when needed.
• Community Savings plays a crucial role in supporting those excluded from traditional banking, offering basic accounts, prepaid cards, budgeting support, emergency loans and rehabilitation work with HMP La Moye.
• Education, skills and financial resilience are essential for long‑term progress.

A full note of the discussion can be accessed here.

Policy Brief updated

The Centre’s 33 Policy Briefs cover all current policy issues and are regularly updated or expanded.  The pre-election period has meant few policy announcements so little updating has been needed. The Brief on Housing was updated to include first quarter figures on housing costs.

• Average house prices in 2026 Q1 were 4.1% lower than in 2025 Q4 and 4.7% lower than a year earlier.
• Average rents in 2026 Q1 were 1.3% higher than in 2025 Q4 and 2.3% higher a year earlier.
• The turnover of properties was 10% lower in 2026 Q1 than in 2025 Q4 and 1% lower than a year earlier. Turnover remains below historic levels.