Are they worth it? Public asked about deputies pay levels

Tuesday 23 April 2024

People can now have their say on whether States members are paid the right amount of money.

Deputies earn a basic wage of £43,036 a year, rising to £58,141 for committee presidents and £75,670 for the Policy & Resources President.

The Independent States’ Members' Pay Review Panel’s will make recommendations about what pay should be for the next political term and as part of that it has launched a survey.

“The Panel wants to provide every opportunity for islanders to share their views on States’ Members’ remuneration for the next political term, and this survey helps us achieve that aim,” said Richard Hamilton, Chair of the Panel.

“For those who can’t access the survey online, paper copies can be collected or posted out on request. We’ve also organised three drop-in events at convenient places in Guernsey where people can come along and speak to a member of the panel about our role and pick up a copy of the survey at the same time.

“We’re keen to hear a wide range of views about States’ Members’ pay and will balance the results of this survey against a range of other factors before reaching our conclusions.”

A basic allowance was first introduced for the 2014 States, when it was set at £20,000 for being a deputy and then top up payments were made depending on roles, including £2,500 for each department a politician sat on - the Chief Minister was paid £40,000 a year.

Median earnings in Guernsey for the year ending 30 September was £40,918.

This States will vote for what the next Assembly will receive.

The survey is available online at www.gov.gg/DeputiesPaySurvey. 

Paper copies can be collected from the reception of Sir Charles Frossard House and Edward T Wheadon House, or from the States of Alderney’s General Office, which is located on the ground floor of the Island Hall in Alderney.

Drop-in events take place  on Saturday from 9:30 to midday. 

The locations are:

• Guille-Allès Library

• St Martins Community Centre

• The Salvation Army Café on the Bridge

Requests for help in completing the survey, or for a paper copy to be sent by post, can be made to Chloe Divers, Graduate Officer, on 223411 or by email at smpr2024@gov.gg.

The survey will close on 26 May.