Statistics Jersey have today published the December 2020 Labour Market report. Jersey’s labour market report is published every six months and covers key aspects of the job market for both the private and public sector.

In December 2020:

• the total number of jobs was 60,000. There was an annual decrease of 1,380 jobs (2.2%) since December 2019, the largest December decrease since at least 1998

• there were 51,470 jobs in the private sector. This was an annual decrease of 1,790 jobs (3.4%), its largest recorded decrease in December

• there were 8,530 jobs in the public sector. This was an annual increase of 400 jobs (4.9%)

At a sectoral level:

• seven sectors saw annual decreases in jobs; the largest decrease was of 1,040 jobs in hotels, restaurants and bars, which was the second-largest change recorded in any sector to date (with the largest being the annual decrease of 1,700 recorded by this sector in June 2020)

• the annual increase of 400 jobs in the public sector was driven by an increase of 330 in the number of Government of Jersey (GOJ) core employees (permanent and fixed term employees), which includes staff employed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Source: Government Jersey website (December Labour Market Report Published (gov.je))

Revenue Jersey is reminding employers – including building contractors – to prepare for changes to the way they submit their returns of employees’ tax deductions, taxable benefits, contributions and manpower.

Under the current system employers submit their tax, social security, and manpower information on different returns.

From January 2022, employers will submit a Combined Employer Return (CER) every month, which will include tax, social security contributions and manpower all on the same return.

The deadline for the first return under the new system is 15 February 2022. 

To complete the CER, employers who use their own payroll software will need to make changes to their systems. Employers who use the online employer returns form will be redirected to a new form when they submit their January 2022 return.

Submissions will need to include the correct social security numbers and tax identification numbers for each of their employees, to be accepted. Ahead of the change, employers will need to ensure all their records are correct and up to date.

Comptroller of Revenue, Richard Summersgill, said: “This initiative will make life easier for employers, enabling them to tell Government about a number of employee-related matters just once. It is the latest step in the Government’s plans to collect revenues more efficiently by centralising services and systems where it is appropriate to do so.”

“We’re committed to achieving this by modernising our legislation, providing easier access to services online, ensuring all customers can understand and meet their obligations while reducing costs.”

“The new return will make the submission process easier for employers but it’s important that employers are sufficiently prepared by having the correct information for their employees. We have been updating employers for some time and there is detailed information and advice on how to prepare for the changes on a dedicated webpage.”

More information about changes is available via the Government of Jersey website: www.gov.je/CombinedEmployerReturn

Payroll suppliers and employers have received information about the changes to give them enough time to update their systems and software.

Employers can also request IT specifications for their payroll provider, or subscribe to regular email updates by emailing: cer@gov.je

Source: Government of Jersey News Release.