A CHARITY has praised the philanthropic efforts of high-net-worth individuals and urged the government to recognise the ‘vital’ donations they make when considering any tougher restrictions on super-wealthy immigrants.
Family First – which offers financial, administrative and emotional support to families needing to travel to the UK for medical treatment – said that it was ‘deeply concerned with the current tone from government’ regarding high-net-worth individuals, as the backing they have given the organisation has been ‘critical’ to its survival.
The charity, founded in 2018 by the Grace Crocker Family Support Foundation, the Jersey Community Partnership and LV Pharmacy, said that demand for financial support for families with a child requiring UK medical or mental-health treatment had soared over the past 18 months.
Aidan McAvinue, Family First chairman, said that while the charity welcomed the increased engagement it had seen from the new government since the election in June, it was important that politicians recognised the philanthropic efforts of many of the wealthy immigrants.
So far, the charity has helped 164 families and the goal is to ensure that no family, regardless of circumstances, is faced with lack of information, support or financial barriers limiting their ability to spend time with family in the event of urgent medical events.
Mr McAvinue said: ‘Feedback from government agencies, healthcare professionals and families affected by these stressful events, is that the service is critical, particularly during Covid when we experienced a 200% increase in demand for our support. We are incredibly proud of the way all stakeholders collaborate for the benefit of Islanders and of the team who are so devoted to their roles.
‘Based on the trends we are witnessing, we are deeply concerned with the requirements for mental-health support for young adults but also for those who are lost in the system because they exceed 18 years of age. We are also incredibly impressed with the way government and health agencies have responded to feedback and provided new services and solutions, and particularly the engagement we have seen from charities and health services.’
Family First was initially funded by the Grace Crocker Family Support Foundation and the Jersey Round Island Challenge and has since attracted long-term support from high-net-worth individuals and philanthropic foundations in the Island, delivering over £370,000 to families needing financial, travel and expense support related to urgent or ongoing medical emergencies.
The charity has also recently benefited from the support of the Co-operative Society’s donation of facilities and furniture for visiting families.
Under the new Government Plan, which was approved by the States Assembly last month, the rate of tax that wealthy immigrants must pay has increased to £170,000 with income exceeding £850,000 being taxed at 1%. Ministers are also reviewing the existing high-value resident scheme with a view to refreshing it for new entrants to the Island.
However, a move to block high-net-worth individuals from coming to the Island for at least a year was rejected by the Assembly.
Mr McAvinue added: ‘Critically, we are deeply concerned with the current tone from government regarding high-net-worth individuals and wealth institutions in the Island, many of whom have been critical to our survival. Over the past four years we have been provided with free and flexible accommodation by Whitmill Trust trustees and Le Masurier property company as well as guaranteed funding by private donors who are in many cases new to our Island, without which we could not have helped these 164 families.
‘Support from philanthropic foundations established by high-value residents has been vital, but we have also recently been guaranteed funding for our employees for three to five years by a donor who insisted on anonymity, which we consider to be an incredible example of altruism.
‘We are aware that this same individual has committed over £1m to other important causes in the Island, and we hope that this is taken into account by legislators when they consider controls around attracting and retaining successful wealthy individuals.’
