Any tax rise should be fair for everyone
ONCE again in the Guernsey Press the idea on taxation is still pushing towards the dreaded GST estimated to be 8%. Richard Digard’s column on the P&R ideas of GST and 8% does only prove that the income from it will only support the finance needed to pay the civil servants, therefore no reduction in these areas as promised in the past.
As he expressed quite correctly that Guernsey is increasingly a place for the rich and well off. As stated on Channel TV recently, youngsters were interviewed and stated in Guernsey there is no chance of finding affordable homes so are leaving our islands for the UK.
GST will be an unfair tax as those who are well off will not bat an eyelid on paying an extra 8% on anything. If GST is introduced it should apply to all luxurious areas where those in this island can afford, starting at the top on a sliding scale as example, those with luxurious large homes, expensive cars, high income etc.
Listening to mums in the playground at school the other day – who are struggling with inflation at present, and here we are thinking of hitting them with a possible 8% on everything including food, clothes, petrol and so on. These are everyday people who are going to be hurt the hardest.
Richard Digard mentions possibly bringing back Deputy Trott, Parkinson and St Pier. We ask were they the ones in government in the past who made this situation we are in now by poor governance, especially the failed
zero-10.
We also see the Guernsey Policy and Economic Group stating they also think that GST is the answer. Susie Crowder, the Gpeg director, stated that several deputies had suggested increasing taxes for the richer islanders and quoted that this could backfire, as these rich people would move away from the island.
These high-net worth individuals might think that it would not be a good move, what lies ahead in what the UK government plan in their next budget.
This island has gradually become the haves and have nots and now Gpeg is asking to investigate those on benefits?
Worrying times ahead for all of those who live in this great island, but please, whatever taxes are decided, please make it fair for everyone, especially GST if that happens.
PS. Let’s start with stopping our deputies' pay rises above inflation etc.
R. S. MAUGER