Latest news with #LyndonFarnham
BBC News
21-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Job cuts part of efforts to curb Jersey public sector
The States of Jersey has said the removal of seven senior roles has contributed to "the progress in curbing the growth in the public sector".Answering a question from deputy Max Andrews, the chair of the States Employment Board Lyndon Farnham said the job cuts were part of ongoing efforts to streamline the measures the government has taken included a recruitment freeze, removing 1,000 unfilled vacancies and reducing the use of external consultants, he said "essential frontline posts have been protected" but the cost of running the public sector in its former scale had become "unsustainable", prompting the changes. He said: "While it is recognised that we have a very good and robust public sector, it has grown by more than 2,000 headcount since 2018, which is an increase of 33%."This has contributed to a rise of more than 50% in the cost of running the public sector over the same period, a level of growth that the Government considers to be unsustainable."The growth in the public sector has stabilised, and the government is considering proposals that will reduce staff numbers further as required."
BBC News
15-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Jersey and Guernsey leaders discuss AI at British-Irish summit
Leaders from Guernsey and Jersey have attended a summit with Irish, UK and other Crown dependency politicians to discuss artificial intelligence (AI).Jersey Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham and Guernsey's Policy and Resources President Lyndon Trott were among the guests at the 43rd British-Irish Council (BIC), which was held in Newcastle, Northern were joined by other leading politicians, including the first ministers of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin and representatives from theme of the meeting involved potential benefits and challenges of using AI in public administration, the States of Guernsey said. 'A vital forum' The BIC was set up as part of the Good Friday Agreement to promote relationships between the UK, Ireland and Crown said the summit allowed him and Jersey's External Relations Minister Ian Gorst to have "useful conversations" with other leading politicians which could benefit the added: "The British-Irish Council remains a vital forum that brings together member administrations to discuss, and address, our many joint challenges and opportunities."Trott said it was the last BIC summit he would attend before he retired from politics at the end of this month following the election in Guernsey."It has been one of the great honours of my public life to represent Guernsey at the British-Irish Council table over the years during my times as chief minister," he said.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chief minister to meet with PM over new EU deal
Jersey's chief minister will visit Downing Street on Monday night for a meeting about the UK's new deal with the European Union. It comes after UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the government had struck a post-Brexit agreement which would include terms for areas such as fishing rights, trade and defence. Lyndon Farnham said: "We hope to reaffirm our priorities at the highest level today, to the prime minister, members of his cabinet and other EU partners. "Detail surrounding agricultural trade and youth mobility with our European neighbours will be of particular interest to us, and we will continue to input into those discussions in the coming weeks." Assistant Chief Minister Ian Gorst added that the event was "an important opportunity to ensure Jersey's voice is heard by the UK government and the European Union as they discuss their relationship". EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be at the meeting too. More news stories for Jersey Listen to the latest news for Jersey Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to What will 'reset' deal mean for UK economic growth? Data shows Jersey economy shrank by 1.5% last year Government of Jersey
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Jersey's chief minister to meet with UK PM over new EU deal
Jersey's chief minister will visit Downing Street on Monday night for a meeting about the UK's new deal with the European comes after UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the government had struck a post-Brexit agreement which would include terms for areas such as fishing rights, trade and Farnham said: "We hope to reaffirm our priorities at the highest level today, to the prime minister, members of his cabinet and other EU partners."Detail surrounding agricultural trade and youth mobility with our European neighbours will be of particular interest to us, and we will continue to input into those discussions in the coming weeks." Assistant Chief Minister Ian Gorst added that the event was "an important opportunity to ensure Jersey's voice is heard by the UK government and the European Union as they discuss their relationship".EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be at the meeting too.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Jersey's chief minister appalled by events in Gaza
Jersey's chief minister said he was "absolutely appalled and distressed at the tragic circumstances that continue to unfold in Gaza".Deputy Lyndon Farnham was responding to a question asked in the States Assembly on Tuesday by Constable Karen Shenton Stone, who asked if he would commit Jersey to use its voice and resources to ensure aid can reach Shenton Stone quoted a UN-backed assessment which found the entire population of Gaza was at critical risk of security cabinet said it had approved, in principle, a plan to deliver aid through private companies, which would end a two-month blockade the UN said had caused severe food shortages, despite opposition from the UN and its humanitarian partners, who say they will not co-operate because it appears to "weaponise" aid. The assessment said Gaza's population of about 2.1 million Palestinians is at "critical risk" of famine and faces "extreme levels of food insecurity" as an Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid addressing the chief minister, Shenton-Stone referred to the island's recent 80th anniversary of Liberation Day where islanders reflected on their "experiences of starvation during occupation".Farnham responded: "There is a potential for a major famine unfolding in Gaza and everyone needs to work together to end this situation as soon as possible and Jersey will play its part."The UK is responsible for the defence and foreign affairs of the island, but Jersey's external relations minister meets with counterparts in Westminster to advocate for Jersey's interests on the international stage. 'Making our views known' Israel's security cabinet has approved a plan to expand its military offensive against Hamas which includes the "capture" of Gaza and the holding of its territory, according to an Israeli chief minister said: "I strongly endorse a recent common statement made by the UK's minister for the Middle East in parliament in which he outlined the UK government's fierce opposition to any of expansion of the Israeli defence forces operation in Gaza including the reported plans for a full military operation."I know the external relations minister and his team are making our views known vociferously in Westminster and we will continue to do so."
