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Reserve Funding for response to ongoing crisis in Ukraine

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A decision made on 3 March 2022

Decision Reference:  MD-TR-2022-156

Public

Subject: Reserve Funding for response to ongoing crisis in Ukraine

 

Report Title: Reserve Funding for response to ongoing crisis in Ukraine

Public

Decision(s):

The Minister for Treasury and Resources approved an allocation of £1,000,000 from the General Reserve - Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL), to the Office of the Chief Executive (OCE) head of expenditure for the sole purpose of providing aid to respond to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Ukraine.  The Minister further approved an allocation of up to £250,000 from the General Reserve - Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) to the Office of the Chief Executive (OCE) head of expenditure for potential costs relating to the immigration of Ukraine nationals eligible for a visa through family connections to the Island.

Reason for Decision(s):

The recent Russian aggression in the Ukraine has caused a humanitarian crisis and the Government of Jersey has responded to support civilian victims. The Bailiff has established a Ukraine Appeal to accept donations from people in Jersey to provide assistance to the Ukrainian people and Jersey Overseas Aid will ensure that these funds are directed to the agencies and locations where they will have the most impact.  The Minister wished to make available £1,000,000 to be paid into the Appeal to support the humanitarian relief efforts in the Ukraine.  As a consequence of the Russian government's actions in the Ukraine, many thousands of people have been displaced from their homes and are seeking safety elsewhere.  Some Ukrainian nationals might be eligible for a visa to enter Jersey, as a consequence of family connections to the Islands.  It is not yet known how many individuals might be affected and in order to enable rapid action to be taken, the Minister wished to allocate £250,000 to the Office of the Chief Executive to meet relevant costs.  Article 15(3) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019 (the “Law”) grants the Minister for Treasury and Resources the power to direct how an appropriation for a reserve head of expenditure may be spent. Article 30(2)(a)(ii) of the Law requires the Minister to issue a written statement to the States, setting out the expected purposes or subjects on which the Minister may direct that such appropriations be spent.  The Minister is satisfied that there is an urgent need to provide funding in the public interest.

Resource Implications: The General Reserve (DEL) to decrease by up to £1,250,000 and the Office of the Chief Executive (OCE) head of expenditure to increase by the same amount.  This decision does not change the total amount of expenditure approved by the States in the Government Plan 2022-25.

 

Action Required: The Head of Financial Governance to advise the Head of Investment Appraisal  and the relevant Heads of Finance Business Partnering that this decision has been made.

Signature:

 

 

Signed By: Minister for Treasury and Resources

Date Signed:

 

 

Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

 

 

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