Jersey's minimum wage will increase to £13.97 an hour from 1 April 2027, after Social Security Minister Elaine Millar accepted the Jersey Employment Forum's recommendation of a 2.8% rise.
Senator Millar said she had "decided to accept the forum's recommendations in respect of the main minimum wage and trainee minimum wage rates". The new rate, up from the current £13.59 an hour, is in line with the Jersey retail price index recorded in June 2026.
Forum chairwoman Carla Benest said it had been "challenging times" for businesses and employees and "the forum has endeavoured to reflect that in our recommendations".
The forum also recommended keeping trainee rates at £10.50 an hour for first-year trainees and £11.75 for second-year trainees for another year from 1 April. Millar accepted that recommendation, along with an equivalent increase in the allowances available to employers for accommodation and meals provided to employees earning the main minimum wage.
On a possible youth rate and possible changes to the formal trainee minimum wage policy, the minister said the report reflected the debate and she would "consider carefully the arguments that have emerged from the forum's consultation exercise, and in particular whether a further consultation on these aspects should take place".
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The increase keeps Jersey's minimum wage aligned with inflation as measured by the retail price index in June 2026, supporting the pay of lowest earners against rising prices.
- Trainee rates stay frozen for another year, meaning young workers on formal traineeships will not see a rise when the main rate moves.
- A decision is pending on whether to hold a further consultation on a youth rate and on how trainee minimum wage policy is set.
Background
Jersey is a British Crown Dependency with its own government and employment law. The Jersey Employment Forum is the independent body that reviews and recommends minimum wage levels to the government. The accepted recommendation followed a consultation exercise.
What to Watch
- Whether Minister Millar decides to launch a further consultation on a possible youth rate or changes to the trainee minimum wage policy.
- The 1 April 2027 start date for the new main minimum wage rate.
Checked
9 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedJersey’s main minimum wage will rise to £13.97 an hour from 1 April 2027.BBC News: “The Jersey Employment Forum's latest report recommended hiking the minimum wage rate to £13.97 per hour from 1 April 2027”
- SupportedThe increase is 2.8% from the current £13.59 an hour.BBC News: “an increase of 2.8% on the current £13.59”
- SupportedSocial Security Minister Elaine Millar accepted the forum’s recommendation for the increase.BBC News: “A recommendation to increase the minimum wage has been accepted by the social security minister.”
- SupportedMillar said she had “decided to accept the forum's recommendations in respect of the main minimum wage and trainee minimum wage rates”.BBC News: “Senator Elaine Millar, Minister for Social Security, said she had "decided to accept the forum's recommendations in respect of the main minimum wage and trainee minimum wage rates".”
- SupportedThe increase is in line with the Jersey retail price index recorded in June 2026.BBC News: “an increase of 2.8% on the current £13.59 in line with the Jersey retail price index (RPI) in June 2026.”
- SupportedCarla Benest, the forum chairwoman, described the times as “challenging times” for businesses and employees and said the forum had “endeavoured to reflect that in our recommendations”.BBC News: “Forum chairwoman Carla Benest said it had been "challenging times" for businesses and employees and "the forum has endeavoured to reflect that in our recommendations".”
- SupportedThe forum recommended keeping first-year trainee rates at £10.50 and second-year rates at £11.75 an hour for one more year from 1 April.BBC News: “The report recommended minimum wage rates for year one and two trainees remained at £10.50 and £11.75 per hour respectively for one more year from 1 April.”
- SupportedMillar accepted the recommendation for an equivalent increase in employer allowances for accommodation and meals provided to employees earning the main minimum wage.BBC News: “It also recommended an equivalent increase in the allowances available to employers for accommodation and meals provided to employees earning the main minimum wage rate, which Millar said she accepted.”
- SupportedMillar said she would consider the consultation arguments and whether there should be further consultation on a youth rate and possible changes to the formal trainee minimum wage policy.BBC News: “I will consider carefully the arguments that have emerged from the forum's consultation exercise, and in particular whether a further consultation on these aspects should take place.”