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Is crisis an over-used word; or is it that if you track back over the last six years the hits have just kept on coming? Press ‘pause’ for a second, and step back; take a moment to review the footage of recent years. From the initial Brexit vote to final deadline day deal; from covid pandemic through to the current spike in treatments for mental health problems; from war in Ukraine to spiralling fuel prices, food prices, house prices, just about any, prices. And then there’s the Tory Party. Exactly.
Of course, this has all happened before, in fact similar problems to each one of the above are nothing new, depending on how far back you decide to scroll. But their recent regularity? The fact that hardly a news bulletin ends without another major issue? One after the other, they keep on coming. The current pace of problem/solution/new state does seem to have jumped up, as if someone has accidently leaned on the fast-forward button.
This issue of Connect picks up on some of those themes, with a special focus on ways to ameliorate the spiralling cost of living. At the time of writing, the last RPI figures have just come out, with inflation in Jersey now running at 10.4%. The measures in the government’s mini-budget will undoubtedly help, but getting into double digits will still be of significant concern to many.
In this edition we speak to Mark Cox, CEO of the CI Co-op, about food prices, transport costs and how islanders can eat well, and still stay within tighter budgets. You’ll also find articles in this edition on energy prices, another key concern as we head into the (slightly) colder months.
I hope you enjoy this edition of Connect; taking the time to read it might just slow down the pace, if even for an hour or so.
