Guernsey leaders abruptly pull GST plans

Thursday 14 October 2021

Guernsey’s leaders have pulled proposals for GST and instead vowed to enter “listening mode” about future tax reforms.

The shock announcement that the States’ senior committee, Policy and Resources (P&R) wanted to scrap its original proposals – which sought political agreement that a GST is needed if the island is to meaningfully diversify its tax base – came just minutes before a delayed debate on tax reform resumed yesterday.

“We’re admitting we are wrong,” said Treasury Lead Deputy Mark Helyar, adding that more consultation was needed in light of views inside the debating chamber and out in the community. 

The majority of speeches made when debate started a fortnight ago indicated those speakers would not support P&R’s green paper. 

In an amendment to those original propositions, P&R instead asked States Members to note the Tax Review policy letter and: 

• "investigate the options for raising additional revenue from corporates, having due regard for the need to retain an internationally acceptable and competitiveness tax environment;

• "undertake a period of extensive consultation and engagement with States Members, the business community and wider public stakeholders;

• "[and] report back to the States with detailed proposals for a restructure of the tax base and its phased implementation, by no later than July 2022."  

The Committee said it "will take into account views voiced during debate including the desire expressed by some members to raise additional revenue from corporates.”

P&R Vice-President Heidi Soulsby said the Committee has “listened, and we very much feel we needed to listen, and make an amendment that reflected the debate”.

Some deputies lamented not being informed of P&R’s intentions sooner, suggesting that their ability to scrutinise the detail of the new proposals was extremely limited by the timing. 

Former Treasury Minister Deputy Lyndon Trott questioned how realistic P&R’s mission statement on corporate taxation actually is, saying that international competitiveness and acceptability “are rarely co-aligned”.

Pictured: Deputy Charles Parkinson launched a scathing attack on zero-10 as has questioned whether Policy & Resources understands corporate taxation. 

Others commended P&R for acting “pragmatically” by reading the temperature of the room.

Some politicians were more cynical, suggesting the move was motivated mainly by a desire to sidestep “a deeply embarrassing defeat of a flagship policy” and the explicit political rejection of a GST.  

Chief Minister and P&R President Deputy Peter Ferbrache reiterated the view that there are few reasonable alternatives to a GST if the island needs to raise an extra £80m a year in response to long-term deficits in public finances. 

Pictured: The original proposals accompanying the Tax Review green paper. 

Deputy Helyar denied suggestions that his Committee could have circulated the amendment earlier. 

“This particular issue is one where we do need to maintain some forward momentum," he continued. 

“We were debating the amendment right up until 11:30 [this morning] by email. Nothing has been sat on the fridge waiting to be submitted at an appropriate time."  

He also emphasised, of the options available, that a GST was the “most progressive” option discussed to date if tax rises are needed and could be designed alongside a restructuring of Social Security contributions to protect those who are most financially vulnerable from new taxation.  

The amendment was supported by 37 States members, with one abstention and one rejection.