Rhona Humphreys, backed by Forward Guernsey colleague Deputy Tom Rylatt, wants to see P&R target annual savings of 1% when it updates the Funding and Investment Plan later in the year.
If the amendment is passed, the plan would include ‘a structured, binding public service efficiency programme aimed at delivering sustainable savings and strengthening the island’s long-term financial resilience’.
The deputies point out that the amendment aligns with the Forward Guernsey Manifesto which they supported during the run-up to the election.
The plan would have to incorporate 1% real-term reductions annually in baseline general revenue expenditure for 2027-2029, using 2026 as the baseline, she said.
‘This targeted approach builds on the £2.5m. in general revenue savings already achieved in the recently approved 2026 Budget, while addressing the island’s acknowledged structural deficit of £77m.'
However, the amendment specifies that the savings should not be ‘straight-line’ cuts across all budgets.
‘It calls for a nuanced, evidence-based approach supported by the establishment of an independent performance and reform group,’ said Deputy Humphreys.
This would be a voluntary body comprising skilled island residents who can offer their expert advice to the principal committees to help them identify ‘practical, sustainable efficiencies without compromising core public services’.
The proposed efficiency programme would include such things as the elimination of low priority, duplicative, activities; a rolling programme of ‘rigorous service reviews’, with a focus on reducing the costs of non-essential consultancy and external advisors and ‘a balanced focus on sustainable, long-term structural changes rather than short-term fixes that could lead to future cost increases.’
But it would ensure that frontline essential services were protected, and any impacts that were unavoidable would be mitigated through targeted reinvestment.
‘The GWP already prioritises fiscal sustainability and efficiency, but it needs clear, enforceable targets to drive real change across all committees,’ said Deputy Humphreys.
‘This modest 1% annual real-terms reduction – equating to roughly £20m. in cumulative savings by 2029 – is conservative, achievable, and proportionate.’
It would also show islanders that the government was serious about leading by example in fiscal responsibility.
‘This is not about blanket cuts or harming essential services like health, education, or blue-light responders – although their budgets should still be appropriately scrutinised,’ she said.
‘With the support of an independent group of expert volunteers from our community, we can target savings intelligently, ensure they are repeatable and sustainable, and build public confidence that any tax reforms are balanced with genuine efforts to control spending.'
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