Guernsey Press

New rights for children born to Guernsey families

BIRTH rights will be introduced in Guernsey after deputies voted through a major U-turn that will give 'positive discrimination' to children born to local families.

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Reassurances were yesterday given that the radical changes under the proposed population management regime would not loosen Guernsey's control on its population or adversely impact on the local housing market, despite deep-rooted concerns from sceptics before the successful vote.

Chairman of the Policy Council's steering group, Paul Luxon, said the issue had been the subject of sustained lobbying in the island and they had listened to the people.

Deputy Luxon said that through liaison with its expert officers, the group did not anticipate a major impact on local housing andthe new rules would nevertheless be subject to annual reviews. He also rejected concerns that it would loosen the new regime's grip on its population.

'This (regime) absolutely will allow us to manage our population, local make-up and size of our population,' he said.

'That is what it will do and we have never had that ability.'

The newly approved changes – giving those born to Guernsey families a faster route to gaining full residency compared to those without ancestry links – also sparked concerns that one child they would be viewed differently to another and create divisions in the community.

However, the issue has been subject to sustained public pressure after the States passed the initial Policy Council plans last June.

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