Population and Migration Policy - Green paper. CGi Official response

23rd January, 2006
 
Deputy M. Lowe
The Chairman
Strategic Population Review Group
Sir Charles Frossard House
PO Box 43, La Charroterie
St. Peter Port
GY1 1FH
 
 
 
Dear Minister Lowe
 
Population and Migration Policy – Green Paper
 
Thank you for giving the Confederation of Guernsey Industry (CGi) the opportunity of passing along our views on the Population and Policy Consultation Document. I do know that a number of our members have responded directly concerning this important initiative as it has short and long term implications regarding their staffing needs and the commercial prosperity and consequent viability of their businesses.
 
We believe an annual net inward migration level of 300 is necessary in order to maintain working population levels to support the high increase in the population of 65+. We also need to ensure that there is enough working population to avoid a substantial decrease in the 0-15 age-group on which the future prosperity of Guernsey will be reliant.
 
We support Commerce and Employment Department’s Business Plan. It is very important that we have adequate housing licenses available to support the new businesses that we will be trying to attract to the Island to both replace lost tax revenue which will soon be mainly reliant on having a strong working population paying ETI and to also ensure the islands tax revenue is effectively sustained by a diversified industry base thereby minimising total reliance on any one industry sector. In addition, we need to satisfy the needs of existing Island companies in our sector to encourage expansion, particularly those who are exporting goods and services.
 
We would also like to see a greater involvement of the Commerce and Employment Department in the actual issuing of housing licenses, specifically those in the business sector.
 
While we do not advocate that “scare tactics” be used in the presentation of your paper, it is important that States Members and the general public realise the implications of a no growth policy and how that would affect the ability to attract new business, create jobs and minimise the individual’s contribution to making up any revenue shortfall. The last thing we need is a perception outside the Island that we are “closed for business”.
 
 
Sincerely yours
 
 
Kevyn Beard
Vice Chairman, CGi