'Another whammy for OAPs' fear as tax hikes considered

FEARS have been raised that old-age pensioners and the lower paid will suffer as a result of the latest tax rise plans.

Treasury and Resources revealed yesterday it needed to plug a £52m.-a-year gap in States finances as the financial downturn has caused the 'black hole' to grow to £65m.

It is now considering a range of options including increasing existing taxes and introducing a goods and services tax.

OAP association chairman John Guilbert (pictured) was surprised when he heard the latest position.

'I think it's another whammy for OAPs. Everything is going up so fast but we've yet to hear of anything for those on low pay, fixed incomes or OAPs,' said Mr Guilbert.

He said measures to help the poor should be brought in at the same time as any tax hikes.

'If the States decides to raise taxes there's nothing we can do as individuals, but it really at the moment only seems to think about putting up costs, not looking at ways of saving money.'

It was a leaderless ship because the chief minister had no power, he added.