Guernsey's senior politician says the plan to slim down the civil service, save money and offer better public services is the worst he's ever seen.

Updating States members on the progress of efforts to restructure the civil service, deputy Peter Ferbrache said 100 public sector jobs had been cut, but he couldn't see how any more could go.

He said a new plan was needed as predicted public sector savings hadn't been realised:

"The savings we were told we would achieve were £7.4m per annum, and then I remember during my tenure as President of P&R all of sudden getting a report that it was £3.7m and I wondered why it had halved.

I would say... to the public at large... if we could achieve £3.7m now I'd be delighted!"

For many years there has been a promise to streamline public services, digitise everyday activities like paying bills, and target resources where they are needed.

Deputy Ferbrache says it wasn't thought out: 

"What we inherited was the worst plan I have ever seen in all my life, whether professional, business or States-wise.

We are trying to address that. We're putting a stop to money being needlessly spent on unachievable targets and we're getting serious about how we'll deliver public services that our community deserves."

In September 2021, the States announced a significant restructuring of the civil service to trim costs and make better use of technology.

The number of potential job cuts was not specified.

That announcement came within weeks of the former States CEO being removed from office.

In July 2022, Mark de Garis was confirmed as permanent Head of the Public Service, saying his challenge was to make the public sector as effective and efficient as possible.

In December 2020 - two months into his term as Chief Minister, Deputy Peter Ferbrache, said there was 'waste in the system' and something needed to be done about it,