Jersey government U-turn on environment funding cut in budget
December 9, 2025
U-turn on environment funding cut in budget
BBCAn amendment to restore a government department’s funding back to current levels has been accepted.
Jersey’s government had initially rejected calls from the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel for the environment department to have £11.7m of funding next year rather than the £11.1m proposed in the 2026-2029 budget.
Environment Minister Steve Luce admitted the cut would “severely undermine service delivery across the board” but accepted the decision because health and other departments needed more funding.
But after changes were made, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham said the government would accept the amendment, which States Assembly members voted 44-1 in favour of.
The government will bring a budget amendment explaining how it plans to maintain the department’s funding.
Deputy Hilary Jeune, the scrutiny panel’s chairperson, suggested lowering the budget could weaken the department along with the “wellbeing of this island”.
“Let me be absolutely clear – this amendment does not create new growth, nor does it expand the public sector,” Jeune said.
“It is simply about ensuring the environment department can meet the statutory duties that this assembly has already placed upon it.”
Jeune’s amendment initially suggested getting money from the Strategic Reserve to avoid cutting the department’s funding, but this idea was dropped.
Following the removal of using the Strategic Reserve to boost the department’s budget, the chief minister said the government would support the amendment.
Farnham explained the government would consider savings in other departments to avoid cutting the environment budget.
He added: “We have asked treasury officials to come back with an amendment that looks at growth bids and spreading the difference across the departments.
“In the scheme of things, I don’t think it’s a great burden and we will be pleased to support it.”
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