Next phase of public sector reform

15 May 2015

Public sector restructuring is moving into a new phase with the launch of an organisation-wide voluntary redundancy programme. 

Ministers are reprioritising spending and redesigning services to make the public sector more efficient and effective, and to help them achieve their strategic priorities of investing in health, education and economic growth. This work is part of the ongoing Public Sector Reform programme, which was established to keep spending under control and to develop a flexible, modern public sector.

Resources are being examined to find new ways to deliver services. This means ceasing to provide some services, redesigning others, merging departments, reducing duplication and removing unnecessary regulations.

Staff salaries account for some 50% of current spending in the public sector and a number of measures are being undertaken to manage these costs more effectively. The States Employment Board (SEB) has confirmed that a voluntary redundancy programme for public sector workers will be available from 1 June 2015. It will be open to applications from all staff and the SEB will continue to consult with public sector unions about the details of the programme. This is one of the measures being used to ensure that funding is available to meet future service needs within the States.

The chairman of the SEB, Chief Minister Senator Ian Gorst, said "This voluntary redundancy programme is the first stage in a comprehensive delayering of management and administration. Each application will be considered carefully and will only be accepted if it supports the redesign of our services and our continuing drive to streamline the organisation and reduce costs.

"Our reform programme is intended to make services more efficient and effective and applications for voluntary redundancy need to be considered in that context, to ensure that we achieve the best long term result for the public sector.

"We will also be managing job vacancies. Around 550 employees leave the public sector every year, either through retirement or changing jobs. We will only be filling these vacant posts where absolutely necessary."

Information about the redundancy programme, together with advice and support, will be available to all States employees from 1 June.