States wants women to have more children
WOMEN in Guernsey are to be encouraged to have more children in a bid to beat the looming crisis of an ageing population.
On a day when the 60,000 population cap was scrapped, the States yesterday agreed to look for ways to increase the fertility rate.
An amendment led by Deputy Scott Ogier ordered two committees to use family-friendly policies to boost the number of children born on island.
The Assembly was largely divided into two camps during the heated debate as the Policy Council's new population policy was approved, despite claims its 'wishy-washy' lack of detail could open the immigration floodgates.
Deputies voted to ensure the working population was of a size and make-up consistent with achieving the States' strategic 'economic, social and environmental objectives'.
Ministers also fought off attempts, led by Deputy Mark Dorey, to try to ensure the working age population did not increase.
Treasury minister Gavin St Pier said he agreed population growth was not a fix for all problems, but the States should not be too restrictive, as he joined those warning of demographic changes facing Guernsey.
He said capping the working age population was lunacy.
'We are boxing ourselves in,' he said. 'If you want effective public services, you have to remember they are funded by taxes, driven by economic activity,' he said.
