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It's not been a good 2017 so far for Jersey's Ministers, and that run looks set to continue in the States today with the Education Minister fighting an official 'telling off.'
The row is over how to compare pay rates for newly qualified teachers between Jersey and the UK.
Deputy Rod Bryans has published his defence against the 'Vote of Censure,' brought by his colleague in St Helier No2 district, Deputy Geoff Southern, over information the Minister gave out when the Island's politicians were deciding to reduce the pay rates, in order to cut costs.
He is standing by what he said, essentially that a new teacher in Jersey would start on £38,296, compared to £22,244 in England and Wales (outside of London), 72% more - therefore there was the scope to save money in Jersey by reducing the pay level.
But Deputy Bryans says he has no plans to reduce the pay of newly-qualified teachers in Jersey all the way to UK levels:
"There is also a need to provide a greater financial incentive within the Jersey pay scale to encourage teachers to take on more responsibilities. The current high starting salary means there is a relatively small pay increase for taking on extra responsibilities, and staff have been reluctant to seek promotion as a result. A greater differential across the salary range will make progression more attractive.
There is no plan to reduce Jersey NQT starting salaries to the England and Wales level. The extent of the change has been misrepresented in the media. The proposed adjustment in the starting wage would bring the Jersey more in line with inner London, but still retain a premium for coming to the Island."
Deputy Southern claims the Minister's figures are misleading, and he will attempt to persuade his colleagues to censure Deputy Bryans in the State Assembly today.
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