Deputy Gary Collins has confirmed that he is working on an alternative vision for balancing the island’s books, but has also revealed that he is not the only deputy to be doing so.
The news comes on top of Deputy David Goy launching a consultation paper on his idea for what he calls a ‘participation incentivisation tax’.
Deputy Collins has now called a meeting of States members, with no civil servants present, to discuss both P&R’s tax package and the possible alternatives.
‘I wondered if it would be useful to get members together to discuss the tax debate policy letter and/or possible amendments,’ he said.
‘The support I have received has been amazing so far.
‘I am expecting over two thirds of the members to attend the deputies-only event, which I have called the “Tax Debate – a meeting of minds”.
‘It will be held on the morning of Friday 26 June in a non-States space, so far away from the corridors of power at Sir Charles Frossard House with civil servants in attendance.
‘I know a number of colleagues are working on alternative plans, including myself, and or amendments, so this meeting will be timely.’
Deputy Collins said his intention is for the meeting to forensically examine the official package in order to assist with the creation of alternative proposals.
‘The plan for the meeting is to discuss each section of the proposals, like the proposed £20m. savings/expenditure reforms, £55m. consumption tax (3% GST), £7m. transport tax, the reduction of £28m. from Income Tax and changes of social security.
‘We will then have time for discussions on amendments and alternative plans, the deadline for amendments is 7 July, so members still have a few weeks to get all their homework done.’
Deputy Collins’ central concern is that the P&R proposals might represent a response to a fiscal deficit which is being exaggerated.
‘In 2025 the total group assets increased by £154m., to take the group over four billion, the exact number is £4,078,375,000. To me that’s a big positive number. I don’t like the narrative being pushed by some deputies that we are broke.
‘What is the urgent need for tax reforms when Pillar 2 receipts are still unknown? We know the estimates started at £10m. and now £40m., which could still be very low.
‘Personally, we should always take time to do the right thing.
‘We need to get our income tax backlog in order before giving our staff more workload in my mind, but I’m keen the Assembly makes a decision in July on a forward direction.’