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Ministerial e-mails, released under the Freedom of Information law, have revealed that the Chief Minister personally backs controversial plans to means test the Nursery Education Fund.
In an email to the Education Minister, Rod Bryans and his Chief Officer, Justin Donovan, Senator Ian Gorst says he thought cutting free nursery places for families earning more than £75,000 would be "positive news."
Deputy Rod Bryans announced the change in March, the night before schools broke up for the Easter Holidays and the FoI request shows the Chief Minister emailed both him and Justin Donovan that night with his support.
In the email to them, he said: "This should be positive news, making those who can afford it pay for it!"
The proposals, which are due to take place in September 2017, will save the States a total of £250,000 per year.
Deputy Bryans says that the universal benefit could no longer be justified as the States cut spending to meet a £145 million deficit and that the plans are likely to affect around 75 to 100 families.
Children from families with incomes of less than £75,000 will continue to receive the free nursery places when the proposed changes take effect next year.
The Education and Home Affairs scrutiny Panel specially arranged more hearings last month so that members of the public could have their say about the plans following a huge backlash against the cuts.
Tonight the Panel is meeting Deputy Bryans again but say they won't discuss changes to nursery places while they are still reviewing the NEF.
This evening's Scrutiny hearing at St Paul's Centre will discuss issues including mental health in schools, the Higher Education report, A level results, a new parent forum, results from the teachers' survey and Education's latest plans to introduce SAT's papers in four of the Island's primary schools.
The meeting starts at 7 pm.
Deputy Louise Doublet, who chairs the Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel, said the panel hope to have their report out soon following their review of the NEF.
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