Merge public services to save cash, says economist

Chris Brock said it costs about £2bn to run the Channel Islands each year

Guernsey and Jersey's public services should consider working together to save money, an economist has suggested.

Chris Brock, principal advisor at research firm Islefact, said it costs about £2bn to run the Channel Islands each year.

Mr Brock said, given the combined running costs of the islands public sectors, work was needed to "improve the relationship and perhaps have a combined public service".

Pan-Island Commissioner for Standards Dr Melissa McCullough said any collaboration would need "equal partnership".

'Pressures are growing'

Mr Brock cited healthcare, education and general administration as three areas where the islands could work together more closely.

"One of the things I focus on is where best practice is being applied in other islands around the world," he said.

"In the past, the Channel Islands in particular had been immune to external pressures - those external pressures are growing daily... there's a problem every week or every month at the moment.

"With an ageing population demographic, artificial intelligence, all of the issues that are relevant in both islands, I think it's a perfect opportunity to try and say, 'Right, well where can savings be made?'."

About 30% of the £2bn was spent on healthcare, while another 20% was spent on general administration, said Mr Brock.

In terms of education, he said there was a labour shortage across both islands and a pan-island plan should be considered.

"There are many islands which have got one administration over several islands... that could be applied in Jersey and Guernsey," he said.

Dr McCullough said collaboration between the islands needed an "equal partnership"

Wayne Bates, a national negotiator for teacher's union NASUWT, said co-operation between schools was a "good thing".

He said any changes to improve education, performance and outcomes for pupils would have a "beneficial impact on the economies of both islands".

Dr McCullough, who works for the islands to investigate breaches into their codes of conduct, said a collaboration would need an "equal partnership", regardless of the size of the island.

"It's about better service delivery, it's not necessarily about conforming to one sort of model," she said.

"Anybody who is looking to share services... has to be clear about mutual respect.

"Each island has an equal say."