Co-Funding Reclaims (FOI)

​Request

A case was heard by the States of Jersey Complaints Board where a sole trader claimed the rules of the Co-Funding scheme had been misleading. The Government attempted to reclaim the overpayments two years after they were made by threatening legal action, causing considerable distress to many. The complaint was officially upheld, by the States board.

In the JEP it was reported that Connetable Jehan stated ‘92% of claims were made successfully, indicating that the overwhelming majority of claimants understood the requirements of the Scheme’.

A

What percentage of sole traders made a 'correct' claim?

B

Of the portion that made an 'incorrect' claim, how many of those had sought advice over the telephone, after having felt confused by the written guidance?

Response 

A

The Government of Jersey records do not indicate which businesses have the legal form of a sole trader, so the question has been interpreted as meaning all businesses that are single person entities that are owner operated. This will include sole traders, but also self-employed people who operate their business through limited liability companies.

The 92% figure quoted in the question relates to the amount of money reclaimed so the like for like figure for single person entities is 75%. 

The question specifically asks for the percentage of individual sole traders that made a correct claim, 66% of single person entities made a correct claim. 

B

The Government of Jersey does not hold this data as a number of organisations/departments were supported with advice on the Co-Funded Payroll Scheme, and no call records were kept. Article 3 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 applies. 

Article applied

Article 3 - Meaning of “information held by a public authority”

For the purposes of this Law, information is held by a public authority if –

(a)     it is held by the authority, otherwise than on behalf of another person; or

(b)     it is held by another person on behalf of the authority.