Autumn Employer Incentive

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 7 October 2021

Decision Reference: MD-S-2021-0067
Decision Summary Title :	Autumn Employer Incentive	Date of Decision Summary:	05/10/2021
Decision Summary Author:	Senior Manager, Back to Work	Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written	Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	Back to Work Fiscal Stimulus Autumn Incentive Guidelines	Date of Written Report:	10/09/21
Written Report Author:	Senior Manager, Back to Work	Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Autumn Employer Incentive
Decision(s): The Minister decided to implement a non-statutory Autumn Employer Incentive to provide financial support to employers to recruit locally qualified jobseekers for up to eight weeks at no financial cost. This is an amendment to the Fiscal Stimulus project.
Reason(s) for Decision: Under the Autumn 2021 Employer Incentive, up to eight weeks’ wages and social security contributions will be paid to employers who hire locally qualified jobseekers that have been registered as actively seeking work throughout 2021. The incentive will be offered from 20th September to 31 October 2021 and is open to Jersey employers. Employers who subsequently retain candiates for 6 months or more on permanent or longer term fixed term contracts may also claim further incentive payments. The key aims of the incentive are to: Encourage & financially support employers to recruit staff who are longer term unemployed. Bring those furthest from the job market closer to securing long-term sustainable unsubsidised employment. Enhance the employability and in-work skills of registered jobseekers who have been out of work for at least six months, or 13 weeks if they are under 25 or over 50. Provide employers with the opportuinity to recruit the number of candidates, which best reflects the forthcoming seasonal work schedule of the business. The Autumn 2021 Employer Incentive supports roles between 25-35 hours per week and provides funding at minimum wage (£8.32) plus employer Social Security contributions (6.5%). The weekly value of the incentive will therefore range between £221.52 (25 hours) to £310.13 (35 hours) depending on the number of hours worked. Employers are able to pay a higher hourly rate and also offer employment for more hours per week. The maximum payable per candidate over the 8 weeks is therefore 8 weeks at 35 hours per week; (8 x £310.13=£2,481.04). Employers who subsequently retain candidates on a permanent full-time basis may claim a pro rata amount of the Employment Incentive or Paid Training (depending on candidate criteria)

Resource Implications: The Fiscal Stimulus funding have allocated a budget of £166, 227, approximately enough for the recruitment of 67 individuals into posts for 35 hours per week during the period.

Action required: Senior Manager, Back to Work to implement the Autumn Employer Incentive.

Signature:

Position:

Date Signed:

Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):