Policy Development Board: Migration

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A decision made on 13 February 2019

Ministerial decision reference: MD-C-2019-0022
Decision summary title: Policy Development Board – Migration
Decision summary author	Private Secretary to Chief Minister	Is the decision summary public or exempt?	Public
Report title: Policy Development Board – Migration
Report author or name of person giving report	Chief Minister’s Department	Is the report public or exempt?	Public
Decision and reason for the decision The Chief Minister approved the terms of reference for a new Policy Development Board (PDB) in relation to developing a new migration policy. The PDB will bring forward policy development proposals as outlined in the Board’s terms of reference.
Resource implications There were no additional resource implications arising from this ministerial decision.
Action required To establish the new Policy Development Board in relation to migration, as outlined in the terms of reference.
Signature		Position Senator J. Le Fondré Chief Minister

Date signed		Effective date of the decision

Policy Development Board: Migration

Developing a new migration policy

Policy Development Board

Terms of Reference

Purpose

To develop comprehensive migration policy proposals which will deliver more responsive controls over who can come to live, work and access public services in Jersey, improving consistency wherever practical and helping to reduce the Island’s reliance on inward migration.

Background and rationale

In recent years, net migration has been at record levels as our economy has produced more jobs.

This economic activity is important as it generates job opportunities locally, and the taxes that pay for public services. Nevertheless, the level and nature of inward migration fundamentally affects Island living. In particular, housing affordability is a challenge.

Indeed, while some migration is necessary to bring in new skills and experience, and to help businesses grow, successive governments have sought economic growth driven by productivity improvements, and not migration.

For this reason, the Council of Ministers has pledged to reduce reliance on inward migration in the Common Strategic Policy.

This will be done alongside work to deliver a more sustainable economic future based around productivity and skills, feeding into a new Island Plan and as part of balancing population pressures against environmental needs.

Inclusions and Exclusions

The board should rely on statistical and economic modelling, including long term fiscal modelling and analysis of the implications for taxes, services, and our economy, of migration.
The board should consult with local businesses and may wish to survey public opinion.
The board should review the migration policy lodged by the previous Council of Ministers
The work should be cognizant of and cover wider population policy issues, such as fiscal policy, the ageing demographic, public service provision, planning, transport policy and the impact of migration on housing affordability.
The work should cover immigration controls, i.e. controls at the border of the Common Travel Area, as well as controls over work and housing, ensuring a consistency of approach.
This work will need to anticipate and prepare for changes to British immigration controls related to Brexit, in particular, any future limitations on movement by EEA nationals.
The board should consider policies which affect new migrants and their families, including access to services and housing
With the agreement of the Chair and the Chief Minister, any other matter which may be relevant may be considered

Membership

Connetable of St John, Christopher Taylor (Chair); Deputy John Young, Minister for Environment; Deputy Martin, Minister for Social Security; and Senator Sarah Ferguson. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister may also attend any meeting.

Senior Responsible Officer: Tom Walker, Director-General, Strategic Policy, Performance and Population Department.

Executive Support: Immigration and Migration Policy Officer, Strategic Policy, Performance and Population Department.

The Board will appoint an agreed number of lay-members.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Board will be supported by officials, to the same standards and applying similar practices, including around the production of evidence, options, any reports, and public engagement, as officials would apply in supporting individual Ministers.

As such, officials are under an obligation to produce reports and provide thereon free and open access to information to members of boards, and impartial advice.

Board members will respect the impartiality of officials, and maintain the confidentiality of any information or advice provided, in so far as it is not already in the public domain.

Timeline

To commence on the 1st February, 2019, and to produce initial proposals for lodging in the Autumn States Sitting 2019, subject to sufficient confidence around Brexit outcomes.

Records and Reporting

Minutes of meetings will be taken to ensure that a proper official record is maintained, and published as soon as practical and appropriate, subject to the relevant FOI exemption concerning policy under development.

The findings of the board will be drafted into a report by the executive support staff and, following approval by the Chair, provided to the Chief Minister. The dissent of any member will be noted where requested. The findings will also be provided to the Council of Ministers, following which the report will be published as soon as practical and appropriate.