Andrew Niles, the latest recruit to the committee, said that the business groups’ statement, published in full in today’s Guernsey Press, represented more than 600 companies, 700 directors, and almost 17,000 staff.
‘When organisations of that collective weight speak with one voice, it matters,’ he said.
‘Their message is straightforward – the time for decision has arrived. Rejection without a credible alternative is not caution. It is drift, and drift has a cost.
‘I said to the finance sector in February that standing still is not neutral. That is as true of tax reform as it is of sector strategy. Every year this decision has been deferred, reserves have been drawn down, infrastructure has aged, and the eventual adjustment has become harder.
‘The Fiscal Policy Panel has told us twice that without additional revenue, our financial reserves will be gone, with current forecasts by 2031.’
Deputy Niles said that previous generations invested in schools, harbours, roads and public institutions long before they saw personal benefit. ‘We have the same responsibility. The time to act is now.’
Deputy Niles warned his colleagues considered voting down the package or delaying it that they needed to answer the question how would the same level of revenue be found elsewhere.
‘That answer cannot be silence or deferment,’ he said. ‘The analysis has been done and the business community, representing more than half of Guernsey’s workforce, has added its voice. It is now time for the States to act.’
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