Deputy Garry Collins has a far-reaching amendment which would ultimately scrap income tax and social security payments and replace them with an ‘Employment Tax’. It is one of more than 20 which have been tabled for next week’s States debate.
He said that P&R had brought much of this on itself by not bringing States members with them on their journey to debate, with briefings and workshops.
‘We have now ended up in this “death by amendment” era, we as States members have now found ourselves in a period of ideas all over the place instead of a joined-up view,’ he said.
‘This short-term three-year package doesn’t answer the business call to make a decision and move on.’
Hear more from Deputy Garry Collins on the latest Guernsey Press Politics Podcast
Deputy Collins said that he did not believe that a 3% GST would remain intact beyond 2030, and would then rise to at least 5%.
The three members of the Forward Guernsey political party have said that they will be backing P&R over tax reform.
‘We are committed to supporting tax reform that better protected lower and middle-income households, broadened Guernsey’s tax base and struck a responsible balance between different sources of revenue,’ said Deputies Gavin St Pier, Tom Rylatt and Rhona Humphreys.
‘While far from perfect, P&R’s current proposals represent a difficult but necessary step towards those objectives.’
Meanwhile the chairman of the Confederation of Guernsey Industry has criticised the Chamber of Commerce, Guernsey International Business Association and the Institute of Directors for breaking ranks and expressing support for a resolution to the tax reform issue.
Garin Dart said he was disappointed to see Chamber issue a statement on behalf of three of the eight members of the G8 business group. ‘GST is anti-business in all sectors that are B to C [business to customer]. I for one as a Chamber member do not support the Chamber stance. Going from a G8 to a G3 to produce a statement is not the way forward for Chamber,' he said.
‘It should be backing Guernsey plc, championing business in the island.’
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