FEWER Islanders should be refused a credit card if politicians back a proposal this week to make it easier for credit-checking agencies to access information in Jersey.
At its next sitting, the States Assembly is being asked to support a legislative tweak to allow these companies to access the Island’s official Register of Names and Addresses.
The UK electoral register is a key source of information for agencies, but Jersey law prevents them accessing the local register, nor can they use other sources of public information.
The government hopes that the amendment will remove some of the recognised hurdles to banks, loan companies and card service providers, which offer products such as credit cards, so they will be able to provide a full range of services to Islanders.
With Scrutiny already commenting that the draft law change is “a necessary and sensible solution”, it is likely the update will receive support in the Assembly.
With just four propositions up for the debate this week, the ‘‘public business’’ section of the sitting is looking to be a relatively short one.
The other proposals include introducing statutory leave entitlement for parents who suffer the death of a child, and extending the eligibility for the Cold Weather Bonus, which is being proposed by Deputy Beatriz Porée.
Oral questions include ones posed by St Helier Deputy Tom Coles, who is asking two about air quality and traffic monitoring around the Enid Quénault Health and Wellbeing Centre in St Brelade, and St Brelade Constable Mike Jackson, who is asking about the state of the planters in the middle of Victoria Avenue.
Following Wednesday’s rejection of plans for nearly 1,000 new homes on the Waterfront, Deputy Sam Mézec is asking the Chief Minister if the Jersey Development Company is fit for purpose.
The Reform Jersey leader is also asking Treasury Minister Ian Gorst for more details of the liquid-waste charge which is proposed, in principle, in the recently published Government Plan.
When it comes to questions without notice, External Relations Minister Philip Ozouf, Health Minister Helen Miles and Chief Minister Kristina Moore will each face 15 minutes of questions on any subject.
