CGi Position Papers
Population Management Law
The CGi fought hard to have the new law delayed or restrictive elements changed prior to introduction in 2017 and concerns remain, particularly in relation to short term licences for so-called ‘guest workers.’
Many employers have established a stable workforce on short term licences and these individuals have become skilled and valued. Other companies have made significant investments in training their staff to fill those jobs that cannot be filled locally. The law means the recruitment of workers from other jurisdictions is becoming increasingly difficult. Seasonal workers pay tax and insurance; they are contributors not takers, especially as few wish to make Guernsey their permanent home. that employ care-home staff, HGV drivers, the hospitality and tourist industry and horticulture rely on a workforce that faces an uncertain future to the detriment of our economy at a time when Guernsey faces considerable economic challenges.
We will continue to argue that the restrictions on the employment of present and future workers on short term licences are having on the Guernsey economy should not be under-estimated.
Deferred pensions
A deferred pension applies to someone who has stopped paying into a state pension scheme but is not yet retired, so continues working either part or full time. The individual can choose to keep their benefits in the scheme and receive their pension income later at a more advantageous rate. The UK adopted this back in 1948 but in Guernsey, deferred pensions do not exist – you have to start receiving your States’ pension when you reach the statutory age.
The CGi would like this to change. We want the States to offer local employees the option not to take their pension at the usual age but at a time when it suits the individual so they accrue financial benefits.
Population growth
The key to any improvement in transport links is economic growth which is linked to the Island’s population.
Faced with a smaller working population, increasing number of retirees and a brain drain caused by younger people leaving the island, measures need to be taken to increase the numbers working and contributing. This means a rise by a few percentage points each year to pay for services and to help maintain our standard of living.
The CGi believes debate at States level should take place and recognise that a key driver in the economy is population.
DEVELOPMENT OF GUERNSEY HARBOURS
The CGi laments the opportunities that appear to be missed with the proposals and is dismayed at how little consideration of how any of the proposed developments will pay for themselves in times of intense economic pressure and scrutiny. The preferred plan, (option 5) a new harbour at Longue Hougue South, has little economic justification if one examines mitigations and alternatives available to the things it proposes to solve.
Our members in the transportation and freight handling sectors have been telling us how great the need to improve the harbour facilities is, particularly in respect of the working areas, so we are acutely aware of the issues and will support plans to make the harbours fit for purpose on a sensible economic basis. However, what we see being proposed appears out of kilter with reality and increases the number of harbours, adding more complexity and cost, without identified additional revenue streams to pay for it.
The CGi saw the sense of the previous Paint/Inder proposal for a modest eastward extension of St Peter Port harbour with associated expansion of working areas, that by virtue of its scale could preserve the aesthetics of the harbour and solve the practical problems whilst be able to accommodate larger vessels.
Overall the CGi is mindful of the bigger picture and speculates whether there is a role for a Development Corporation that could be responsible for a development area to integrate developments from Leale’s Yard, through St Sampson’s and the Eastern seaboard to St Peter Port that would have the relevant parties as stakeholders to represent interests including housing, utilities, ports and leisure, but underpinned by an economic rationale that supports Guernsey’s macro-economic and future development needs.
Such a body could encompass consideration of the ambitious proposals that have been suggested involving barrages, power generation, housing and leisure schemes achieved through linking St Peter Port harbour to Longue Hougue which have presently been ignored.
We would like to see increased efforts devoted to diversification of the economy and modern technology along with the development of renewable energy sources. Guernsey could explore connections with our near neighbours and learn to work with each other, tapping into the previously untapped employment sources on the nearby coast of continental Europe.
We would be more than happy to enter into dialogue with the States to explore and provide options and ideas for addressing these issues, as we did regularly during the two Covid lockdowns.