18 January 2016
New figures for 2015 have been published showing the number of applications for registered and licenced staff and how many were granted or refused by the Population Office.
The progress of applications in 2015 is in line with the States’ policy of getting entitled people into work, and achieving the most out of permitted migration by ensuring that it is aimed at improving productivity. It also enables important investment in housing and infrastructure to proceed.
The headline figures for 2015 applications are as follows:
- 918 applications for permanent registered staff were made in 2015, of which 460 were approved and 458 refused. In addition, 334 permanent registered permissions were removed from businesses in 2015.
- The highest number of approvals were in the finance (94) and construction (153) industries, and the highest number of refusals were in the hospitality sector (134) and construction (106).
- In line with new policy guidance, the hospitality industry was supported with 105 seasonal permissions in preparation for the 2016 tourism season. The construction industry also received 91 short term contract permissions to support an increase in activity. Alongside this, the Back to Work at Social Security ran new initiatives to support the skills of entitled people in these sectors in 2015.
- 317 applications were also made for licenced staff, previously called “j cats”. Of these 280 were approved, including 127 in the finance industry.
The Assistant Chief Minister, Senator Paul Routier MBE said: “The Council of Minister’s Strategic and Financial Plans support targeted and managed migration which delivers productivity improvements in our economy. This will help us fund good quality public services as our society ages, placing more demands on our health services.
“We must achieve the right balance between our economy, our community, and our environment. Later this year we look forward to working with Islanders on a Long Term Plan, helping us to deliver the best results for our future.”
The most recent figures for our economy show that the economic valued added per worker grew in 2014 for the first time since the global financial crisis, with employment also at a record high, and unemployment at its lowest level for 4 years. It is important that we continue to support this, enabling us to fund essential public services as our society ages.
Population Office figures for July to December and year to date 2015
gov.je