Will Jersey’s ministers release their tax forms like Cameron and Corbyn?

Friday 15 April 2016

Jersey’s ministers could end up following their UK counterparts by publishing their tax returns.

Chief Minister Ian Gorst confirmed in the States this week that ministers would be considering whether they need to extend the existing system of declarations of interest for States Members.

His comments follow the fallout in the UK over the “Panama Papers”, which has led to UK Prime Minister David Cameron, Chancellor George Osborne and Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn all publish their tax returns.

Facing questions in the States on Tuesday, Senator Gorst said: “Of course ministers will consider whether there needs to be a strengthening of declarations and how that is declared.

“But let’s remind ourselves that unlike any other place in the world Jersey pays every single States Member exactly the same and it would be income arising from outside of their States income that would need to be considered, but that income should already be declared with their declaration of interests which is lodged with the Greffe and which is available for public scrutiny. But of course we will consider whether this needs to be strengthened or not.”