P&R urged to speed up review of relocation grants

Published1 hour ago

Guernsey's top political committee is being urged to prioritise a review of relocation allowances amid concerns it is putting pressure on rental prices.

Policy and Resources (P&R) said in June last year, external the review was "on track" to be finished by the end of September 2025.

Deputy Tom Rylatt, from Forward Guernsey, said the review should "be a priority for P&R" and the delay was disappointing.

P&R President Lindsay de Sausmarez said "several stages of work on the review have been completed" and the committee was due to consider it again shortly.

She blamed the delay on how busy the committee had been recently including delivering reforms to the island's tax system and a budget for 2027.

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A recent report from the Scutiny Management Committee, external linked the relocation allowances to the current high price of renting a home in Guernsey.

The current policy, external entitles people relocating to Guernsey for jobs with the States of Guernsey to a £5,000 grant (£6,600 for Alderney) alongside help with rental costs for up to four years, storage costs and, in some cases, support with an unsold home's mortgage.

In the last decade rents have risen by 65% to on average £2,138 per month, according to the States of Guernsey, external.

A freedom of information request earlier this year revealed more than £5m was spent by the States on relocation packages in 2025, the most since the support was introduced.

Deputy Rylatt said: "It is disappointing that the review has still not been completed, having originally been due in September 2025.

"With housing costs continuing to place enormous pressure on islanders, it needs to be a priority for P&R that we understand the impact these packages may be having, particularly on the rental market.

"I hope the committee will now bring this work to a conclusion and set out what changes, if any, it intends to make."

Relocation grants 'excessive'

Those buying a home in Guernsey can also qualify for a £8,750 house purchase grant, while short-term recruits could receive smaller payments towards travel and moving costs.

Scrutiny Management Committee President Andy Sloan said the current policy was "excessive" and believes "such a subsidy is likely to have an upward impact on local market rents".

In June 2025 P&R said the review of these grants would look at different options for relocation support, including possible alternatives, using workforce data and financial analysis.

It said any changes would need to balance potential savings against the need to recruit and retain staff in essential public services such as health, education, social care and law enforcement.

Officials said the review was unlikely to be made public as it was looking at an internal policy but any changes would be clearly communicated by P&R.

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Related topics

Housing

Cost of Living

States of Guernsey

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Related internet links

States of Guernsey

States of Guernsey