Maclean takes the Treasury

Thursday 06 November 2014

Senator Alan Maclean will set the Island's financial policy through what he expects to be one of the challenging times in the Island's history.

In the States this morning, Members voted by 29 to 18 to give Senator Maclean the second most powerful role in the Island's government, beating his only challenger St Lawrence Deputy John Le Fondre into second place. And he was quickly followed into the ministerial offices by Senator Andrew Green, who took the Health and Social Services Minister job in a 37-11 win over former GP Senator Zoe Cameron, and Senator Philip Bailhache, who held on to the External Relations job.

On becoming Treasury Minister, he promised an immediate review of the States revenue forecasts, and the way they are complied; several months ago his predecessor published the 2015 Budget which revealed a deficit in the Island's finances of up to £95 million. And he didn't rule out needing to raise taxes to cover any shortfall:

"I do not believe that raising taxes is an innovative solution, and any tax rises should be the last option, not the first, as it is with so many governments. In the immediate we face two immediate funding priorities at health and education."

In his speech, Senator Maclean promised to save money by modernising the public sector, potentially by bringing parts of the Tax and Social Security Departments together both to share information and to collaborate on payment collections and debt recovery. He also promised to look at tax breaks to grow the economy, online assessments and a tax amnesty to encourage individuals and businesses to tidy up their affairs.

Senator Maclean stressed his record as the Economic Development Minister, saying that he had restructured the department, creating separate bodies to take up some of its roles such as Jersey Business, Locate Jersey, Digital Jersey and the Jersey Innovation Fund. He also pointed out that he had found savings by bringing together the administration of the harbours and the airport, as well as being involved in the creation of the new Foundations Law, Intellectual Property laws, and a financial services ombudsman.

The new Treasury Minister committed to challenging the utilities, and suggested setting up another single Board to oversee their activities and improve value and financial returns.