Guernsey Officials Urged to Expedite Review of Relocation Grants Amid Housing Concerns
A committee is being pressured to conclude its review of relocation allowances for new States of Guernsey employees, as housing costs continue to rise.
Guernsey's Scrutiny Management Committee has urged the Policy & Resources (P&R) Committee to accelerate its review of relocation grants for individuals moving to the island for employment with the States of Guernsey. The report linked these allowances to the current high cost of renting accommodation in Guernsey.
The existing policy provides those relocating for States of Guernsey jobs with a £5,000 grant, or £6,600 for those moving to Alderney. The support also includes assistance with rental costs for up to four years, storage expenses, and, in some instances, help with mortgage payments on an unsold home.
Recent data from the States of Guernsey indicates a significant increase in rental prices over the past decade, with average monthly rents rising by 65% to £2,138. In 2025, the States of Guernsey spent over £5 million on relocation packages, marking the highest expenditure since the program's inception, according to a freedom of information request.
Deputy Rylatt expressed disappointment with the delay in completing the review, which was originally scheduled for 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," Rylatt stated. "I hope the committee will now bring this work to a conclusion and set out what changes, if any, it intends to make."
Forward Guernsey has also voiced concerns that the relocation allowance may be contributing to the pressure on rental prices within the island.