Long term planning framework launched

29 January 2014

The Council of Ministers has launched its Long Term Planning Framework and accompanying Interim Population Policy.

The 2012 Strategic Plan highlighted the need to plan beyond a single term of office. In preparing the framework for a longer term plan, Ministers agreed the need to strike the right balance between the needs of the economy, community and environment and to recognise how each supports the other. A population policy needs to be set in the context of long term planning and in combination with other long term strategies, especially in view of one of Jersey’s main challenges – the ageing population.

Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, said “The Interim Population Policy makes it clear that we want limited migration which supports our economy and creates jobs for islanders. It also explains that Jersey needs to develop a long term plan. A population policy should form an integral part of our long term planning process. Issues like productivity, earnings, health, town development, protecting the countryside; these all need to be considered when determining a population policy. This is why we are launching a long term planning framework alongside our interim population policy."

Economic, community and environmental goals

Deputy Andrew Green added “Preparing for Our Future will help clarify what we want for our economy, community and environment. We need to involve our community in determining the type of Island we want Jersey to be in the future. Once we are clear about Islanders’ priorities, we can determine how all our policies, including population, can support the balance we set between economic, community and environmental goals.”

The interim population policy for 2014 and 2015 proposes to:

Maintain the planning assumption of +325 migrants per year that has underpinned the long term policies approved by the current Assembly. This will maintain our working age population and would be the maximum average net migration over the life of the interim population policy.
Support migration which adds the greatest economic and social value, and only where local talent is not available. In particular:

Support the “Back to Work programme” and other initiatives to encourage employment and improvements in skills for Islanders
Use migration controls to increase the employment of “entitled” and “entitled to work” staff, particularly in businesses that employ more migrants than their competitors.

Assistant Chief Minister, Senator Paul Routier, said “The Interim Population Policy is a policy of stability, and we can achieve it working with employers and continuing to focus on helping Islanders into work. He added “It is in line with our existing planning assumptions and will maintain the size of our working age population, while we develop our long term vision together. Ultimately, all our policies need to work together to create the kind of island we want to live in.”

Senator Gorst, concluded “We will continue to deliver the 2012 Strategic priorities, by focussing on generating more wealth proportionate to our size, protecting our environment, improving the quality of our built environment, and enhancing our public services.

“If we keep every aspect of our island in balance – economy, community and environment – we can continue to build a successful future for all islanders.”