Awards ceremony for Jersey government employees costs more than £21,000, FOI reveals

The Government of Jersey's awards night is put on to thank the stars of the civil service. Credit: ITV Channel

It's been revealed that an annual awards ceremony for Jersey's government employees cost a third of what it did in 2023.

A Freedom of Information request disclosed that the government's 'Our Stars Awards' for 2024 cost £21,343.04 in total.

That's compared to around £66,000 spent in the previous year.

The ceremony is held to recognise government employees, with the government describing it as a way to celebrate the achievements of "dedicated public servants".However, Jersey's government was branded as "operating in a parallel universe" for using such hefty sums of taxpayers' money to fund the event in the past.

Constable Andy Jehan defended the spending at the time, saying: "It's vital, just as any other employer does, that you recognise your workforce and particularly those who have made an extra effort."

He added that the government had "reined back on the expenses" for the 2023 awards ceremony.

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