New System Proposed For Setting Politicians Pay

Wednesday, 28 April 2021 12:00

A new independent system could be put in place for setting States members' pay.

The Privileges and Procedures Committee wants the States to set the framework for deciding what politicians are paid, but have no role in actually deciding how much they get.

The committee has proposed linking pay to an index, and for an independent person or body to be commissioned once a term to review the system and consider introducing different levels of pay for different roles in the States.

They would also be asked to set pay at a level that attracts people from all walks of life to become a States member, whilst being mindful of the States' financial constraints.

An independent report points out that Jersey is the only place where States members can play a part in the process of setting their own pay - it's recommended that option is removed.

"We believe that it would be preferable for the Assembly to reach a decision on the principle of differential pay as part of this debate, rather than as a separate, second debate. If the Assembly agrees that Article 44 of the States of Jersey Law should be repealed, it would be for the independent reviewer to decide whether to introduce differential pay and to what extent.

"We do not believe that the arrangements put in place by the SMRRB for pay after 2022 should be revisited as part of this process. PPC should focus on getting the system right for a pay review in 2022, which would set in place index-linking (and any other new arrangements arising from the review)." - PPC.

Currently, all States members are paid the same - £46,600 a year.

It was recommended in 2019 that they get £50,000 from the summer of 2022, with the Chief Minister getting an extra £15,000 on top of that because of the additional responsibilities of the role.

The States Members' Remuneration Review Panel also suggested that other Ministers and the head of Scrutiny get an extra £7,500.