Annual budget

Legal requirements

Article 9 (1) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019 requires that –

Each financial year, the Council of Ministers must prepare a government plan and lodge it in sufficient time for the States to debate and approve it before the start of the next financial year.

The remainder of Article 9 sets out in detail what must be included in the plan in respect of financial information.

The Budget (Government Plan) 2026 – 2029

The Budget (Government Plan) 2026 – 2029 was published in December 2025.

Under the heading of “key highlights of the budget” the press release announcing the proposed budget stated –

Subject to approval by the States Assembly, this Budget will mean:

Healthcare: continued investment in modern facilities, preventative care, and digital health.

Early Years: expanded nursery provision for two and three-year-olds to support families and child development.

Cost of Living: higher tax allowances to ease household pressures.

Long-term investment: a major capital programme of £1 billion between 2026 and 2029 to renew infrastructure and enhance public services, including new healthcare facilities.

Jersey Capital Investment Fund: a dedicated fund designed to protect capital budgets and deliver greater certainty and transparency for long-term projects.

Government efficiency:£9 million in annual savings from 2026 through reducing management layers, cutting reliance on consultants, and consolidating office space.

Key statistics are –

• General revenue income of £1.34 billion.
• Government spending £1.28 billion.
• Balance in the strategic reserve £1.3 billion.
• Investment in buildings, infrastructure, IT and the new hospital £1 billion over 4 years.

Budget measures agreed by the Assembly were –

• Increase in the personal tax allowance from £20,700 to £21,250.
• Increase of 1p on a 500ml can of beer and reduction of 5.4p on a pint of draught beer.
• 1.7p increase per litre of fuel.
• 80p increase on a pack on 20 cigarettes.
• Increase in vehicle excise duty ranging from £2 for the least polluting vehicles to £2,480 for the most polluting.
• £2 per 10ml vaping tax.
• 1% reduction in the higher rate of stamp duty on non-main residence.

The following tables, taken from the budgt, show the current income and revenue expenditure forecasts.

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