Extra public charge to fund new hospital?

Last month, Islanders were told that they would be paying up to 0.5 per cent extra tax from next year if the Medium Term Financial Plan Addition is approved in September. The extra charge is to help fund the cost of the ageing population.

And on Friday, Treasury Minister Alan Maclean revealed that a further charge was being considered to help cover the expense of the new hospital which is likely to cost about £450 million.

Speaking during a Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel, the minister admitted that a further health charge could be levied on Islanders as soon as next year.

Read his comments in this weekend’s JEP.