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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE CHIEF MINISTER BY DEPUTY G.P. SOUTHERN OF ST. HELIER
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 15th JANUARY 2008
Question
Will the Chief Minister give an undertaking to members not to bring a proposition resulting from the Imagine Jersey 2035' consultation process to the States before the summer recess without including a full examination of all fiscal alternatives to the use of immigration and population growth to solve the issue of the ageing population to the satisfaction of the Migration and Population Scrutiny Sub-Panel?
Answer
The papers supporting the current consultation process already clearly identify fiscal measures as one of four possible policy alternatives, namely:
• Further growth in the economy
• Working Longer
• The resident population paying more for services
• Allowing more people to live in Jersey.
The purpose of Imagine Jersey 2035 is to gauge the public's views and encourage wider discussion about these options and the balance that needs to be struck between them. The Council of Ministers will consider the views expressed as part of the consultation process before considering any policy response.
Until Imagine Jersey 2035 has been concluded and responses analysed, it will not be possible to consider exactly what form a report to the States before the summer recess may take. It is, however, likely to focus on an overall strategic direction, rather than specific policy proposals. Having considered the Public's views, the Council of Ministers will need to decide what further detailed work is required before making specific policy proposals.
The nature of this subject means that any proposals for future population growth would have to be set in the context of other the alternatives. I can assure Members that when making such proposals, the Council of Ministers will give full consideration to all the alternatives, including those relating to fiscal measures. At the end of the day it is for the Scrutiny Sub Panel to determine whether it is satisfied with any proposals which are brought forward and I cannot give any undertaking on their behalf.