The Policy & Resources Committee will publish its long-awaited tax plans on Monday and will host a public meeting to explain its decisions to the public that evening.
Members of the Committee, including President Deputy Peter Ferbrache, will be on hand to talk through the new package of measures that the States Assembly will be asked to vote on in January, how it arrived at those decisions, and outline the long-term financial challenges facing the States.
The presentation is taking place at Les Beaucamps School at 19:00 and last approximately 45-minutes. There will also be an opportunity for questions and answers after the session.
The event will also be livestreamed on the States of Guernsey Facebook page.
It is expected that P&R will use that platform to explain how it will propose a goods and services tax (GST) at a rate of 5% or 8% on most, if not all, consumer purchases.
New information on company tax and cuts to the headline rate of personal income tax could also be detailed.
Pictured: Guernsey's leaders have been ramping up messaging that public services could need to be cut if sustainable changes to the tax system are not agreed by the States.
Deputy Ferbrache said there has not been “enough action to tackle” the island’s financial challenges in recent years, with measures required to continue funding essential public services well into the future.
He said that whilst much focus has been placed on GST the Committee are “bringing a whole package of measures to the States and it is important that the community understands them in the round rather than discussions being about one element only.
“The facts are that the package of measures we are proposing is designed to both raise the money the island needs while also making the tax system fairer – and will result in most households being financially better off than they are currently if adopted by the States in full.
“We want to explain to the community how that will work and hope that people either attend Les Beaucamps School Hall or watch the live-stream when we present our proposals to islanders on Monday.”
Pictured: Deputy Peter Ferbrache, President of the Policy & Resources Committee.
The presentation will also be the first outing of the Policy & Resources Committee with its new membership following Deputy Heidi Soulsby’s resignation as Vice-President last month.
Deputy Bob Murray, who is P&R’s preferred choice, and Deputy Gavin St Pier will go head-to-head today to try and secure a majority backing from the States Assembly for the vacant seat on the Committee.
The media will be briefed on the contents of the tax proposals this weekend and Express will bring you a detailed report on the proposals at midday on Monday.
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