Backlog of 4,000 population permits 'sobering'

A politician has called new figures showing there are thousands of population management applications waiting to be dealt with as "very sobering reading".

The Committee for Home Affairs said that as of 17 September, 3,886 population management applications were outstanding, alongside 324 applications within immigration workstreams.

Committee president Deputy Marc Leadbeater said additional resources were now "essential" if the States of Guernsey wants to make progress in tackling the delays.

No timeframe has been given for when the backlog could be cleared, with work still under way to establish targets.

The service has faced scrutiny in recent months, including calls for answers over the island's population policy and questions over a senior population management official working from abroad.

Applications to population management are requests from people for various types of permits which allow them to live and work in Guernsey.

Anyone aged over 16 needs one, even if born in the island, and there are many types including short term worker permits and for those applying to become a full resident.

Home Affairs said the backlog had been reducing towards the end of 2025 but started to increase again near the beginning of this year.

An operational improvement programme was launched in February to tackle immediate pressures and examine the underlying causes of the growing backlog.

The committee said applications had become increasingly complex following the introduction of a three-year limit on Short Term Employment Permits and the expiry of transitional arrangements.

It said this had led to an increase in applications outside existing policy, as well as more complex referrals and rejections.

The committee said it endorsed a support plan earlier this year which saw additional resources focusing on establishing a dedicated customer service team.

It also introduced a temporary extension to short-term permits due to delays.

However, the committee said further resources were now needed to stabilise the service and make "meaningful progress" on the backlog.

Leadbeater said the problem had not "arisen overnight, or due to any one factor" and warned it would take time to resolve.

"The backlog of applications makes for very sobering reading," he said.

"The allocation of additional resources will be essential if we are to make timely progress."

A wider review of Guernsey's population policy is due to begin in the coming weeks.

Home Affairs said business needs would be central to the work.

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