LAST-MINUTE government U-turns on alcohol and fuel duty increases have shaken up the order paper as the States Assembly meets today to begin debating the Island’s spending plans.
The Council of Ministers has backed an amendment to its Government Plan to slash its proposed rise in alcohol duty almost in half from 8.9% to 4.5%, and it now supports a blanket freeze on fuel duty.
Following criticism of the rises, ministers have said they “recognise the challenges being faced by the hospitality sector” and are seeking to achieve a “compromise”.
Speaking ahead of this week’s sitting, Chief Minister Kristina Moore said the Government Plan “uses the headroom made possible through years of prudence to keep more money in Islanders’ pockets”.
But Reform Jersey’s leader Deputy Sam Mézec released a counter-statement slamming the 115-page plan, which dictates proposed expenditure and income, claiming that the current government fails to “provide the leadership and vision that Islanders need at this time” and that his party was “stepping in to fill this vacuum” with a raft of amendments.
Members of Reform, backbenchers, Scrutiny panels and even the Council of Ministers itself have submitted more than 30 amendments to the plan, as well as amendments to amendments.
Ministers have now supported an amendment from the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel to freeze fuel duty.
They have also lodged their own amendment to another of the panel’s amendments which called for a freeze on alcohol duty, putting forward a “compromise” which consists of a smaller rise.
Commenting on the ministers’ own amendment to alcohol duty, Deputy Moore said: “We are supporting amendments where possible. We are now putting forward a lower increase in alcohol duty, again supporting Islanders and the economy.
“We are proposing a balanced and prudent Government Plan, which will assist Islanders with the immediate challenges we are facing – especially housing and the cost of living – and invests more in the key public services that we all rely on.
“The Government Plan builds on our strong fiscal position, and uses the headroom made possible through years of prudence to keep more money in Islanders’ pockets. It supports hard-working individuals and families, and invests in Islanders’ priorities for now and the future.”
Further amendments, outlined in today’s printed edition of the JEP, include the expansion of free GP appointments for all full-time students, increases in stamp duty and opportunities for first-time buyers, and guarantees to publish research in childcare and violence against women and girls in the years ahead.
