Common strategic policy

Article 18(2)(e) of The States of Jersey Law 2005 requires as one of the functions of the Council of Ministers –

agreeing and lodging for referral to one or more Scrutiny Panels established under standing orders and approval by the States, a statement of their common strategic policy.

Article 18 (2A) of the Law requires that –

The Council of Ministers must lodge the statement of their common strategic policy under paragraph (2)(e) –

(a)     no later than the day on which the first government plan is lodged; and

(b)     within 4 months of their appointment under Article 19(7). 

On 29 September 2026 the Council of Ministers published its Proposed Common Strategic Policy 2026 – 2030. This set out 11 priorities for delivery in the next four years.  

The priorities and actions are –

1. Take targeted action to ease cost-of-living pressures

1.1 Additional payment to Community Cost Bonus recipients in 2027

1.2 £250 payment per school age child in 2027 for families with incomes below £80,000 per annum

1.3 Extend free school meals for all Jersey premium students in secondary school

1.4 Extend nursery and childcare funding for 2–3 year olds equivalent to an increase of 15 to 20 hours

1.5 Doubling of the parental grant to £1,800

1.6 Commit to reviewing affordability for 2028 onwards

2. Secure Jersey’s competitive edge in the financial and related professional services sector including responding to the effects of AI on our economy

2.1 Implement the ‘Time to Win’ Report to secure competitiveness in the financial services sector

2.2 Deliver the International Finance Centre 2 in St Helier

3. Secure Jersey’s competitive edge for the local economy

3.1 Create opportunities to support growth, new industries and investment in the non-financial services sector including responding to the effects of AI on our economy

3.2 Build on the Future Economy programme by developing a competitiveness plan for the non-financial services sector and reduce the cost of doing business in Jersey

3.3 Continue working towards a living wage, while supporting jobs, growth and competitiveness

4. Reduce regulation and red tape, including in the planning system

4.1 Revise the Island Plan to facilitate economic growth and sustainable development

4.2 Revise Supplementary Planning Guidance, rules and regulations, in particular to enable Islanders to modify and improve their own homes and businesses to expand

4.3 Reduce the burden of regulation to businesses

4.4 Continue the commitment to keep Government fees, duties and charges as low as possible to help Islanders with the cost of living

5. Increase the provision of lifelong learning

5.1 Expand apprenticeships for Islanders in the public and private sector

5.2 Progress a new campus for higher and further education in the heart of St Helier for delivery in 2032, releasing the land at Highlands College for new homes and development opportunities

6. Provide more homes and upgrade core infrastructure that Islanders rely on

6.1 Enable housing development to provide more homes for Islanders and assisted purchase schemes

6.2 Begin implementing the Investing in Jersey plan using the new Capital Investment Fund

6.3 Invest in upgrading the Island’s core infrastructure, including the drainage network and extend the mains water system to enable housing development and upgrade flood protection systems and sea defences

6.4 Upgrade and replace public buildings and education facilities

7. Improve community safety and Island resilience

7.1 Government of Jersey to actively and safely adopt AI and technology solutions to increase productivity and protect Islanders

7.2 Strengthen online safety and cyber protection for children and young people

7.3 Deliver the new resilience law, continue to invest in our Emergency Services and complete the implementation of the Violence Against Women and Girls recommendations

8. Continue to improve our health services

8.1 Complete the acute hospital at Overdale and progress the wider New Healthcare Facilities Programme

8.2 Reduce waiting times

8.3 Update medicines and controlled drugs regulation

8.4 Establish a health and care strategy for Jersey and reform funding

9. Improve the public realm, community spaces and sports facilities across the whole Island

9.1 Regenerate and invest in the town centre and other key urban areas

9.2 Invest in sports and leisure facilities and community spaces

9.3 Deliver practical improvements to Jersey’s countryside, coast and biodiversity through closer partnership with farmers, landowners, fishers and communities

10. Revise the Carbon Neutral Roadmap to deliver a practical and affordable transition to net zero by 2050

10.1 Focus on practical action that reduces emissions, the carbon intensity of Jersey’s energy use, improves energy security, supports affordability and creates local skills opportunities

11. Deliver a leaner and less complex public sector with lower running costs

11.1 Ensure a balanced budget

11.2 Increase the Island’s strategic reserves