Category: Public Announcements

At a meeting of the Executive Council held on 11 March 2025, an increase to the minimum wage of 50p per hour was approved.

This change will take effect from 01 July 2025 and will increase from £4.00 to £4.50 for persons over 18 years, and £3.05 to £3.55 for persons aged 16 or 17 years. This represents an annual increase of 12% and 16% respectively.

The approval of this increase is in line with the objective of establishing a more ambitious minimum wage, benefitting workers and providing adequate time for businesses to plan and adapt.

The principle informing the minimum wage is that of the Minimum Income Standard (MIS), which states that “minimum income is based on needs and not wants, but it provides more than what is just needed for survival. It supports social participation and recognises that choice is important, but also that choice cannot be unlimited”. Although the MIS varies for people based on their specific circumstances, the current MIS of at least £5.23 per hour is dependent on the cost of housing, which includes costs to a family for renting accommodation or paying a housing loan, and car ownership.

In determining the increase, consideration was given to the current cost of living pressures on both employees and employers and it was noted that a balance would need to be struck. The Minimum Wage Policy therefore recognises that there is a limit to the size of increases that businesses can absorb in a single year, whilst at the same time acknowledging the need to continue raising the minimum income level on St Helena to go some way in encouraging residents to remain in employment on St Helena.

This year’s increase follows consultations with employers, employees and other relevant stakeholders including the Chamber of Commerce.

The minimum wage will be reviewed again in early 2026 and will include public consultation to consider further uplifts for the period 2026/27.

Since its inception in 2013, the minimum wage has raised from £2.30 to £4.50 for persons over 18 years, and from £1.45 to £3.55 for persons aged 16 or 17 years. These increases equate to a 95% and 145% rise respectively.

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The Building Maintenance department of the SHG Works Section, will be carrying out essential renovation work on the wall extending from the Arch to the back of the Museum in Jamestown. Commencing from Monday 2 June, the Terrace walkway from the Arch to the Museum will be closed to all pedestrians for approximately four weeks.

The Works Section apologises for any inconvenience this may cause and thanks the public in advance for their continued understanding and cooperation.

The Highways Authority has granted approval for the closure of Napoleon Street from the Brow to Nosegay Lane from 09:00 to 15:00 on the following days:

• Wednesday, 4 June 2025
• Wednesday, 11 June 2025
• Wednesday 18 June 2025

This closure is essential to facilitate slurry works, which will improve the surface quality of the road.

Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the duration of the closure. Roadside pavements will remain accessible, and on-site personnel will be readily available to guide pedestrians safely through the work area.

Side Path Road will remain open for vehicular traffic, specifically cars. Vehicles will be diverted near the Guide Hall at the brow, adhering to the 2-ton weight restriction in place. Trucks and buses will be required to divert at Constitution Road to access Jamestown. We encourage drivers of larger vehicles to plan their routes accordingly to minimise disruption.

The Road Section extends its sincere thanks to all residents and road users for their continued support and cooperation during these necessary works.

The public are advised of the following revised opening times for HM Customs and Immigration which will be effective from Monday, 2 June 2025:

Customs

Monday to Friday 09:00 – 15:00

Immigration

In order to provide a more streamlined service to customers in advance, Immigration is trialling the following opening times:

Mondays and Fridays – Drop in from 09:00 to 15:00 (no appointment necessary)

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – by appointment only (Call 25987, 25988 or 22236 to book an appointment in advance).

HM Customs and Immigration would like to thank the public for their cooperation and understanding during this period of change.

As previously announced, and as a result of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Migrant Agreement Memorandum of Understanding, HM Customs and Immigration are undertaking specialised training over the next six weeks. Due to the varied scheduling requirements of this essential training, a weekly opening hours schedule will be in effect and will be published accordingly.

The opening hours for the week commencing 26 May 2025 are as follows:

• Monday and Tuesday 11:00 – 15:00 (for businesses and individuals receiving and issuing items/shipments)
• Wednesday and Thursday 09:00 – 15:00 (for businesses and individuals receiving and issuing items/shipments)
• Friday Closed

Consequently, during this training period, the reception desk will be unattended, staff will have limited access to emails and cashier services will be slower which may result in delays. Please also be aware that the HM Customs and Immigration Offices will be closed daily for a staff lunch break between 13:00 and 13:30.

HM Customs and Immigration thanks the public for their cooperation during this important training period, which will ultimately enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of HM Customs and Immigration services in line with our obligations under the BIOT Migrant Agreement Memorandum of Understanding.