- States Question Time round-up below
- UK-style student loan system ‘unlikely’ to be introduced in Jersey
- Question Time in numbers
A STUDENT loans system similar to the one already in use in the UK is ‘unlikely’ to be introduced in Jersey, the Education Minister has said.
- ALL 49 elected Members were present at the start of yesterdays States sitting.
- A minutes silence was held in memory of former Senator Reg Jeune, who died earlier this week, aged 94.
- Deputy Bailiff Tim Le Cocq presided over the sitting for the first time.
Deputy Rod Bryans said it would cost ‘tens of millions’ to finance the scheme, something which is not viable at a time when Education has been told it has to make £10.7 million in savings.
However, he added that his department was pursuing alternatives with Treasury and banks, but remained tight-lipped on the proposals when pressed for detail.
Responding to a question from Deputy Geoff Southern in the States yesterday about the potential for introducing a loan scheme he said that a UK-style loan scheme was ‘unlikely’, stating that there was ‘no extra money’ to finance the scheme.
However, Deputy Bryans moved to reassure States Members that the issue was one of his department’s ‘highest priorities’ and that he had met Treasury Minister Alan Maclean last week to discuss potential options.
‘I’m not in a position to publish the detail. We need to speak to the banks to see if they can facilitate the ideas.’
When asked by Deputy Southern for a ‘rough idea’ of the proposals, Deputy Bryans said: ‘With regard to the detail I’m reluctant to say anything until we have a decision between Treasury and Education.’
Meanwhile, Deputy Bryans was also questioned about subsidies given to fee-paying schools by the States.
Deputy Montfort Tadier asked the minister if he was considering removing the subsidies in order to help make the £10.7 million savings.
He answered: ‘It is on our agenda. We’re speaking to the schools already and the unions about the concept of an increase or a decrease.’
Deputy Tadier said that when the removal of subsidies had been suggested in 2011 it faced strong opposition from parents of the relevant schools as well as Deputy Bryans’s ministerial colleagues.
He questioned if the Education Minister would be able to ‘take on this powerful lobby’.
‘The biggest consideration will be given to informing parents well in advance if that happenstance happens.’
Impact of non-dom tax plans
IT is too early to assess the potential impact on the Island of a Labour plan to abolish a rule which allows some wealthy UK residents to reduce the tax they pay on overseas income, the Assistant Chief Minister has said.
Last week Labour leader Ed Miliband announced that his party would seek to scrap non-domicile status if it came to power.
£7.8 million – States’ contribution to grants funding for students in higher education for 2014/2015
50 mg per litre – Average level of nitrates in Jersey drinking water and the current EU limit
45 – Percentage increase in the number of morning commuter buses to St Helier since 2010
£1.47 million – Amount spent by the States on the e-government project so far
The announcement was met by criticism from business experts, who warned that 30,000 of Britain’s 115,000 foreign investors could leave if Mr Miliband’s proposal comes to fruition.
Under current UK rules, people can apply for non-dom status to avoid paying tax on overseas earnings and capital gains.
The status can also be inherited, meaning that some people can benefit from the status despite being born and brought up in Britain.
During the States’ question time yesterday Senator Philip Ozouf said that not enough details of the Labour Party’s policy were known at this stage to say how Jersey might be affected.
‘The details of proposals to amend non-dom status in the UK are not known in detail so it is not possible to assess impact of any such changes on the Jersey economy,’ he said.
‘Many non-doms use Jersey financial services for reasons that are not tax related and importantly they are not expected to change these arrangements as a result of changes in the nom-dom status that has been speculated in certain manifestos.’
St Helier Deputy Sam Mézec asked whether Senator Ozouf had read the Labour Party manifesto published earlier this week.
Senator Ozouf said: ‘We are assessing all the party manifestos and it must be said that Jersey has enjoyed good relationships with Labour, Conservative and coalition governments over many decades. It is the role of the External Relations Minister and others to build new, strong and positive relations with any new government.’
THE Treasury Minister has been urged to support plans for a comprehensive parking study to see how more spaces could be provided for residents in town.
Deputy Andrew Lewis yesterday asked Senator Alan Maclean whether he would support a study to look at how more parking could be created on States land given that more than 2,000 new homes were planned for the north of St Helier in the coming years.
His comments followed a busy parish assembly on Monday night, attended by Deputy Lewis, at which residents raised concerns over the lack of designated parking.
Senator Maclean said: ‘It’s a very relevant question. Parking has always been an issue around St Helier. I’m certainly prepared to talk to Jersey Property Holdings.’
Senator Maclean refused to comment on whether the Ambulance Service’s Summerland site could be turned into a residential car park in the future following a reshuffle of the emergency services and their headquarters.
Care inquiry witness statement not leaked to ministers says Chief Minister
A CONFIDENTIAL witness statement associated with Jersey’s Independent Care Inquiry was not leaked to the Council of Ministers, the Chief Minister has said.
Senator Ian Gorst told the States Assembly it was his ‘understanding’ that no details of the submissions made by former States police deputy chief officer Lenny Harper had been passed to ministers.
It followed reports earlier this month that the inquiry had launched an investigation following allegations that External Affairs Minister Sir Philip Bailhache had seen Mr Harper’s statement.
The claims emerged after Sir Philip referred to the length of the submission as being ’80 pages’ despite stating that he had not seen the document.
During the States’ question time yesterday St Helier Deputy Mike Higgins asked Senator Gorst whether any of the lawyers representing the States, the police or the Law Officers’ Department had disclosed any details of Mr Harper’s submissions to any ministers.
Senator Gorst said: ‘I am given to understand that neither of the law firms representing the departments or States of Jersey Police nor the Law Officers’ Department have provided details to the Council of Ministers nor individual ministers of submissions made to the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry made by the former deputy chief officer of the States of Jersey Police.’
Deputy Higgins responded by claiming that it was ‘quite obvious’ from Senator Bailhache’s comments in the last States sitting that he had seen the document.
He then asked the Chief Minister if he had spoken to Senator Bailhache about where he had got the information.
Senator Gorst replied: ‘Perhaps I could ask the Deputy if he has asked the minister?’
Last week Senator Bailhache released a statement saying that it was untrue that he had seen Mr Harper’s statement.
