Ministers seem hell-bent on pursuing economic growth at the expense of the natural and social environments that are so important for our quality of life. A government report has estimated population growth based on three scenarios of + 325, +700 and +1,000 net immigration per year. These scenarios see a future population rise to unprecedented levels of up to nearly twice the current number. None of these models reflects the actual growth seen in recent years which would generate an even higher population. Perhaps this is why Andium is suggesting more housing estates in the countryside’s protected green zone.
Against the Chief Minister’s open-door policy, Prime Minister Theresa May is wishing to commit the Conservative Party to a challenging immigration target of under 100,000 a year. Actual immigration into the UK was 336,000 in 2016.
With the firm prospect of an overwhelming Conservative majority in the General Election next month, the delivery of a ‘Hard Brexit’ with the emphasis on controlling the movement of workers seems inevitable. It is most unlikely that Jersey will get any special treatment in the final deal and we will then face the same controls as the rest of the UK, with Jersey’s immigrant numbers contributing to the overall UK total.
A Brexit focused on restricting immigration is likely to place other pressures on Jersey as the Island will form part of the border with the remaining EU countries, leading to the need for much stricter controls at entry points with extra staffing.
The size of the population affects everyone. Government has dodged this issue time and time again. Whether it be significant controls or an open door policy, the public must be treated to a full and honest debate immediately.
