Speaking at the launch of the Think Twice Buy Local campaign – a States campaign supported by the JEP – Senator Alan Maclean said that unemployment levels were likely to keep rising.
‘We are facing a very challenging economic period,’ he said. ‘The Island tends to be eight or nine months behind the UK so there is still a bit to come. There’s a risk of job losses in the financial services, driven from the UK.’
Senator Maclean said that unemployment figures could be approaching 1,200 but added that he was confident that if Islanders boost the economy by shopping close to home, jobs might be saved.
‘There is a risk that we will see more job losses towards the second half of the year and that’s why this campaign is so important,’ he said.
Think Twice Buy Local was launched at the weekend as the States try to encourage people to buy Island products and services.
