WELCOME to our last newsletter of this year.
It has been busy of late as we support local industry and try to make Guernsey a better place in which to live and work.
We recently met with Deputies Le Clerc and Yerby, of Employment & Social Security, along with the G4 (IoD, Chamber and GIBA) to discuss the proposed discrimination legislation. We all have concerns with elements of the proposals and the apparent need to rush through its introduction before the next general election in May 2020. Whilst the meeting was positive in some respects, it remains to be seen whether the issues we raised will be addressed.
Some positive news is the reintroduction of short term nine month licences after two and a half years of CGi lobbying, publicly and privately. It would appear from member feedback that applications are being reviewed on a case by case basis which could be useful for your own businesses.
There is talk of an attempt to introduce a general sales tax in the island which the CGi was at the forefront of thwarting five years’ ago. We are to liaise with other members of the G4 to canvass their views as it may be that collective way again is the way forward. Alongside this is a possible increase in income taxes so we will follow up and more details will come.
I hope you all have a good Christmas and New Year.