Policy Centre Jersey

Think piece on waste management

On 18 August the Centre published on Think Piece on Waste management by Jennifer Bridge. Key points –

Jersey produces over twice the general waste per person than Guernsey.
Despite ten parishes offering kerbside recycling, many residents dispose of recyclables in general waste due to inconvenience or scepticism about whether materials are truly recycled.
Jersey heavily relies on the La Collette Energy Recovery Facility (ERF), which incinerates waste to generate electricity. The facility's need for waste potentially undermines reduction and recycling efforts.
Guernsey has successfully reduced waste by a "Pay As You Throw" system for general waste, balanced by free kerbside recycling and food waste collection, incentivising diligent separation to minimise costs.
In 2023 the electricity produced from the ERF accounted for just 5% of Jersey's electricity but accounted for 14% of all carbon emissions.
Jersey needs to decide whether to invest £250 million in a new ERF by 2035 or fundamentally rethink its relationship with resources.

On 31 August the Centre published a new Policy Brief Social Security. The Brief brought together a wide range of data. Key points –

In 2024, £403 million was paid into the social security scheme. 40% comprised contributions by employers and 34% contributions by employees. The self-employed contributed 6% and tax revenue contributed the remaining 19%.
Benefits totalling £387 million were paid in 2024, of which pension payments accounted for £255 million.
The full state pension is £14,899 a year. Entitlement depends on the period for which contributions have been made, not the amount of contributions.
The Health Insurance Fund paid benefits of £52 million in 2024, mainly to help low income people meet the cost of GP appointments and drugs.
The Social Security (Reserve) Fund, which largely exists to meet pension liabilities, stood at £2,452 million at end-2024.
The Long Term Care Fund is funded separately by an additional 1.5% levy on income tax. Revenue in 2024 was £45 million but payments were £80 million, necessitating a significant contribution from tax revenue.
Income support is funded out of general taxation. Payments totalled £78 million in 2024 of which £34 million was to meet housing costs.

On 22 August the Government published statistics on average earning in the year to June 2025. Key points –

Average earnings were 4.5% higher than in June 2024.
After adjusting for inflation, average earnings increased in real terms by 1.4%.
Over the last 10 years, average earnings have decreased in real terms by 1.4%.
Median average earnings of full-time equivalent employees was £890 a week.

The statistics have been included in an updated version of the Centre’s Policy Brief Economic Trends.

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