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How should islanders be taxed next year, and how should their hard-earned cash be spent and saved? All will be decided in the States Assembly this week, as politicians debate and vote on the Government's £1.3bn budget.
A draft version of the money plan was first published in August, with Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham hailing the '2025 Budget' – rebranded from the ‘Government Plan’ – as a “commitment to building a secure future for Jersey”.
Ministers argue their Budget will boost islanders' personal wealth by upping tax allowances and taking the first steps towards implementing a Living Wage with the help of a £20m investment in helping local businesses boost productivity, as well and putting £710 million toward commencing the long-awaited new hospital project.
The Government has also frozen alcohol and fuel duty for the coming year.
Pictured: Proposed duties for 2025.
Tobacco duty will also go up, while the idea of a vape tax continues to be explored, while there will be a 20% increase on vehicle emissions duty to support the Climate Emergency Fund.
But not all States Members agree that it is a solid plan for Jersey – and believe there is room for improvement.
A total of 29 amendments have been put forward – some more substantial than others – and a fair deal of amendments to those amendments too.
Several former members of Government are seeking to make tweaks to the plan. Among them is former Home Affairs Minister Helen Miles wants the Government to reinstate alcohol duty rises in line with inflation from 2026, while former Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf is calling for an end to the fuel duty freeze.
Other amendments include a bid to safeguard funding to establish a new public complaints watchdog with 'teeth' and funding for the Connect Me scheme at the heart of a new 'social prescribing' plan.
Ministers are also being told that £1m is needed for "urgent" repairs at Highlands College and that Jersey Cheshire Home is in need of a £200,000 bridging grant to protect its ability to continue operating its essential services for disabled islanders amid rising costs.
The Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel is seeking to amend the Budget to ensure greater transparency around the funding for the redevelopment of Fort Regent, while former Education Minister Inna Gardiner is asking Government to fulfil their commitment to creating a Play Strategy. Former Health Minister and St Clement representative Deputy Karen Wilson, meanwhile, is pushing the Government to bring forward funding for a £7.5m youth centre project at Le Squez that has been "kicked down the road for years".
On the topic of investing in young people, the Children, Education, and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel wants Ministers to increase investment in apprenticeships, and review the existing scheme to better meet the needs of students and employers.
The Budget 2025 debate will begin at 14:15 with a statement from Treasury Minister Elaine Millar, before States Members consider each of the amendments one-by-one, before a final vote is taken.
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