Proposed budget 'a step in the right direction'

Jersey's government has released its budget for 2027 to 2030, with a number of targeted measures designed to help families with the cost of living.

These include increasing the number of free hours of nursery care for two to three-year-olds from 15 hours to 20 hours, and doubling the parental grant, external to £1,800 for families with newborns or those adopting a child.

The funding for the Health Department has increased again, from £381m in 2026 to £406m.

Last year, the Fiscal Policy Panel , externalsaid Jersey was spending more than it was earning, but Treasury Minister Alan Maclean told the BBC the planned new budget was "a step in the right direction" towards correcting that.

In his foreword to the budget, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham wrote: "For many households, the cost of living remains the most immediate concern.

"Housing, childcare and everyday living costs continue to put pressure on family budgets. Businesses are also dealing with higher costs and an increasingly competitive environment.

"We are providing practical support to help put more money back into islanders' pockets, particularly for families facing the greatest pressures."

The measures targeted to help families with the cost of living include:

• Free nursery care for two to three-year-olds increasing from 15 hours a week to 20 hours

• The parental grant, external rising from £887.25 to £1,800 for families with newborns or adopting a child

• A £250 family support payment for each school-aged child in low to middle-income households in 2027

• Free school meals extended to secondary school pupils on the Jersey Premium funding scheme, external

When asked if he thought these measures helped islanders in a meaningful way, Maclean said: "I hope so. It's a step in the right direction.

"Obviously a lot more needs to be done, but what we've sought to do is target the resources we had available to those most in need."

He also explained it was not just families measures were targeted at.

He said: "You will have the seen that the pension has been uprated by 4.7%, and we've also got the community cost bonus which helps people not in families who are typically just above the income threshold levels."