‘Radical proposals will test deputies’ mettle’

In the wake of the States’ failure last month, after six days of debate, to decide any major changes that will bring about the necessary revenue increases in the years to come, he said P&R would not be idle.

At a meeting yesterday morning the committee decided unanimously that it would not be standing down and would look to continue until the end of this term.

But it also decided it was not going to ‘just drift along’.

‘We decided that we’re going to be as radical as we can be and as forthright as we need to be and bring proposals and test the realism of the States,’ Deputy Ferbrache said.

‘[The Budget] will be a vehicle to bring forward certain proposals in connection with various tax increases, etc.

‘Certain people that voted against any tax increases or thought we could manage with less money, they’re going to have their mettle tested.’

This could mean that committees asking for funding will be denied it.

‘Ultimately, of course we haven’t got executive government, so the States could say “It doesn’t matter what you say P&R, we’re going to have it,” to which we’ll say “Tell us where we can find the money, please”.’

P&R has also looked at the resolutions that were made by the States at its recent meeting, and as a result two new sub-committees have been formed – one to review essential community services and the other to look at corporate matters. These groups will be led by P&R members Deputies David Mahoney and Mark Helyar respectively.

But a goods and services tax is definitely off the table.

‘There’s no point trying to bring it back this term,’ said Deputy Ferbrache.

‘There isn’t the political will. So that will be left for anybody else post this term.

‘That doesn’t mean it wasn’t the right package, because it clearly was.’

Areas that are going to be looked at as possible revenue-raisers are a visitor tax, paid parking and motor tax. A distance charge for vehicles is also being considered by Environment & Infrastructure.

Also included in the Tax Review, and defeated, were plans for major changes to social security.

Deputy Ferbrache said it would be up to Employment & Social Security to come back with any new proposals, but P&R would find it difficult to support anything that did not raise the £34m. which was originally put forward as coming from a restructure of the social security system.