Economic, Social and Health-related Recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic

Background

The rapidly evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly during 2020 and 2021, called for an extraordinary response from Government as it has sought to save lives and protect health and livelihoods in Jersey.  During 2020 and 2021 the primary focus of Government was on implementing emergency measures to protect Islanders.  Towards the later stages of 2021 the focus shifted to include recovery and, in particular, addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, on social issues and on health-related issues.

The total projected costs of the Government response to the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2026 is estimated as £363 million.

This review builds on previous reports the C&AG has issued relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scope

The review has evaluated:

·         whether clear and measurable objectives were set out for schemes and funds established to achieve economic, social and health-related recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic

·         whether appropriate controls were put in place to implement the schemes and funds in an effective way

·         how the Government managed and monitored the delivery of the schemes and funds; and

·         whether the schemes and funds have achieved their stated aims.

The review has also included a follow up on the recommendations made in the following Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) reports:

·         The COVID-19 Related Emergency Support Scheme (June 2021)

·         Government support to businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic – Co-Funded Payroll Scheme (November 2021); and

·         Government support to businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic – other schemes (November 2021).

In addition, it has touched on some of the relevant key findings referred to in the following C&AG reports:

·         Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (September 2022); and

Grants to Arts, Heritage and Culture Organisations (December 2022).

Conclusions

The measures put in place to protect businesses and individuals from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic appear to have achieved the objectives established by Government. There have been relatively few business failures and employment has remained at or is better than pre-pandemic levels. There are early signs that the economy is recovering.  It is however difficult to assess what would have happened to businesses without the support from the Government.

The education-related schemes put in place to stimulate social recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic have achieved the objectives set to date.  In particular, the education outcomes to date demonstrate no deterioration from what would have been expected if there had been no pandemic. This compares favourably with the performance in England.

The COVID-19 pandemic recovery monies have helped to add capacity to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services which has enabled the service to maintain waiting times at a fairly consistent level despite a significant increase in the level of referrals.

I have not been able to assess the results of some of the health-related schemes managed by HCS due to the lack of sufficient financial and performance information.