Interim Parental Payments Scheme (IPPS)

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

Ministers are individually accountable to the States Assembly, including for the actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.

The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made on 24 June 2020

Decision Reference: MD-S-2020-0040
Decision Summary Title :	Interim Parental Payments Scheme (IPPS)		Date of Decision Summary:	22/06/20
Decision Summary Author:	Senior Policy Officer		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	WR - IPPS Policy Guidelines		Date of Written Report:	22/06/20
Written Report Author:	Senior Policy Officer		Written Report: Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Interim Parental Payments Scheme (IPPS)
Decision(s): The Minister for Social Security has approved the Interim Parental Payments Scheme (IPPS) which will make a lump sum payment to employers whose employees are taking paid parental leave under the upcoming changes to the Employment Law which come into force on the 28 June 2020. Payments will also be available to Class 2 individuals taking parental leave. The scheme will run from 29 June to 31 December 2020. If the new parental benefits are not available on 1 January 2021, the Minister will take a decision as to whether to extend the scheme.
Reason(s) for Decision: Following States Assembly approval of P.63/2020, new employment rights will be in force from 28 June 2020. These family friendly changes to the Employment Law, will give all new parents an entitlement to take up to 52 weeks of parental leave (including 6 weeks of paid parental leave for both parents). Currently, the contributory benefit system supports a birth mother with a weekly allowance of £222.53 per week while she is off work caring for a new baby. The Minister is planning to extend this allowance to all parents as soon as possible. Until then, the Minister for Social Security has decided to implement the IPPS to provide subsidy payments to employers when their staff, other than birth mothers, who are parents decide to take paid parental leave under the new Employment Law.
Resource Implications: Lump sum payments will be made for the full 6 weeks at the same rate as the existing maternity allowance, making the total maximum value - £1335. On the basis that there will be approximately 450 babies born during the 6-month period from the end of June to December, the maximum cost of the scheme is estimated at £600,000. Funding for IPPS will be met from within the existing CLS contingency budget. IPPS will be administered by CLS using existing resources.
Action required: Senior Policy Officer to publish policy guidelines for the IPPS. CLS Group Director Customer Operations to administer claims in line with policy guidelines.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Social Security
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):