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Charity told to submit case if it wants 2027 cash

BBC Deputy Lyndsay Feltham, a woman with shoulder-length light-brown hair, wearing a pink blazer. She is staring directly at the camera, while sitting in an office. A map is visible over her shoulder.BBC
Deputy Lyndsay Feltham said the information in the Jersey Employment Trust's business plan would "inform any business case for future additional funding"

The Jersey Employment Trust (JET) has been asked to provide a detailed business plan by June if it wants taxpayer funding above its base grant from the start of 2027, the social security minister has said.

The charity - which helps people with disabilities and long-term health conditions learn new skills and find and keep jobs - said in January that 38 jobs were at risk after it was told by officials that additional grants would not be available in 2026.

But following criticism from its supporters, ministers agreed to maintain JET's funding while discussions over longer-term support took place.

Deputy Lyndsay Feltham said any bid for extra funding would need to be included in the 2027 budget.

A glass door into a building. It says 'Jersey Employment Trust' in black writing.
JET said it supported more than 500 people in 2025

Responding to a written question from Deputy Max Andrews on the progress of talks with the charity, Feltham said she and Chief Minister Deputy Lyndon Farnham had met with representatives of JET's board.

She said officers continued to work with the charity on "a sustainable funding model".

But Feltham explained that it was "not possible for me as minister to agree funding above the base grant beyond 2026", given that Jersey's general election on 7 June could lead to a change in the island's leadership.

"For any additional funding above the base grant, a bid will need to be included as part of the 2027 budget process," she said.

"As part of this process, JET have been asked to provide a detailed business plan by June 2026 to inform any business case for future additional funding."

JET said it supported 516 islanders in 2025, thanks to £785,000 in one-off government grants and agreed taxpayer funding of £1.9m.

After it was told in January that funding had been secured for 2026, acting chairman Dan Perkins said that JET remained "totally committed to positive engagement over the coming weeks and months, and to finding a sustainable way forward for all parties".

The BBC has approached the charity for comment.

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