Charity Welcomes Jersey's New £15.10 Living Wage for 2026
- Dec 21, 2025
- 1 min read
A local social action charity has praised the decision to raise Jersey's living wage to £15.10 per hour, set to take effect in January 2026.
The new living wage will be £1.51 higher than the island's minimum wage, which will rise to £13.59 an hour starting in April 2026.
Caritas Jersey's CEO, Patrick Lynch, emphasised that the living wage is essential for island residents to "thrive, not just survive" on the island.
Lynch added, "This increase is a step forward for many working individuals, especially as they face rising rental costs and higher utility bills in the new year. The need for the Jersey Living Wage is more pressing than ever as poverty continues to climb and food bank usage grows."
He pointed out that in February 2022, one food bank supported 195 families; now that number has surged to over 640.
Lynch also noted that the gap between the minimum wage and the living wage remains "concerning" and urged Assembly members to consider this as they prepare for budget discussions and the upcoming general election next June.
