AFTER a deathly-dull Tuesday, the States Chamber stirred into life yesterday during tetchy exchanges between Reform Jersey representatives and their opponents. When three Reform Members were elected to ministerial roles, they would have settled for this as a nice problem to have: adversaries lining up to take pot-shots at Housing Minister Sam Mézec for his […]
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Let the Budget commence
Traditionally, it is the last big hurdle for the Island’s politicians before Christmas. Coinciding with the annual Shelter Trust Soup Kitchen in the Royal Square, the Budget debate works a little differently here. JEP readers who follow events in the UK will be no stranger to controversy around a Budget – there, it is simply […]
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Rent reforms, maritime safety and plans for the former Jersey Gas site on States agenda
PROPOSED rent reforms described as the “biggest overhaul” of residential tenancy legislation in over a decade are due to be debated at the States Assembly sitting beginning today. Renters would be given the right to challenge “unlawful” rent increases by going to a Rent Tribunal, under plans lodged by Housing Minister Sam Mézec. Rent increases […]
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“No matter how we got there, I am delighted with the victory”
JERSEY’S Housing Minister has hailed a decision to approve his plans for a major overhaul of the Island’s Residential Tenancy Law as “a huge vindication”. Debate over Deputy Sam Mézec’s proposals, which included plans to stop landlords from raising rent more than once a year, limit rent increases to the rate of inflation (RPI) and cap […]
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Debate on bilingual schools idea deferred
A DEBATE over whether Jersey should convert three primary schools to teach in English and French has been deferred. Deputy Philip Bailhache’s proposition, which was due to be voted on at the States sitting beginning today, argued for the value of bilingualism and its importance to an Island whose culture has been shaped by the […]
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Former Bailiff claims Minister’s rental reforms “unfair” for landlords
A FORMER Bailiff is pushing against the Housing Minister’s proposed rent reforms, claiming that measures to protect tenants are “unfair” for landlords and would affect their “right to ownership”. Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache made the criticisms in an amendment to Deputy Sam Mézec’s new residential tenancy law proposals, which include limits on rent increases and […]
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Deputy seeks ‘middle ground’ on bilingual primary schools
PARENTS should decide whether bilingual learning becomes a feature of the Island’s education system, according to Deputy Philip Bailhache in what he describes as an attempt to find the “middle ground” with Education Minister Rob Ward. The Deputy has lodged an amendment to his own proposition – deferred last month following objections from the Education […]
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Islanders accused of alleged breach of foreshore to get £75k in compensation
TWO Islanders subject to “unjust and oppressive” action from the government over alleged encroachment on the foreshore should receive a total of £75,000 compensation, a report has stated. Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache was commissioned to write the report as the latest chapter of a long-running row involving development at properties on the St Clement coast […]
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Fears raised that GP subsidy fund could run out in early 2030s
JERSEY’s Health Insurance Fund – the pot of money that helps pay for GP visits and prescription medicines – is expected to shrink sharply over the next four years, raising fears it could be exhausted in the early 2030s. The fund, which is financed through Social Security contributions, subsidises primary care for Islanders. But during a […]
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Members begin to debate language-learning proposition
OBLIGING all pupils to study at least one language – as well as English – to GCSE level was debated by politicians in the States Assembly yesterday. Deputy Montfort Tadier was seeking to reverse a 20-year-old policy introduced in line with the UK which dropped the requirement for a second language to be studied up […]
