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31 The Parade, St Helier, JE2 3QQ Telephone: +44 (0)1534 610 300 Email: info@jerseybusiness.je www.jerseybusiness.je
Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel States Greffe
States Assembly
Morier House
St Helier
JE1 1DD
11th November 2022
Dear Deputy Mezec,
Ref: Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel Government Plan Review 2023-2026
Thank you for your letter entitled Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel Government Plan Review 2023-2026' sent to us on 26th October 2022. Our comments and view on the points you itemized are include below.
Freezing alcohol duty on all strengths of beer, cider, wines and spirits.
For a number of years, we have seen increases in alcohol duty that far exceed RPI. Given this, it would seem that a hold on alcohol duty increases would help control rapidly rising costs, especially when the cost of manufacturing and shipping are expected to keep growing. This move will help keep costs and retail prices at a more reasonable level.
Increasing tobacco duty on cigarettes by Retail Price Index (RPI) of 7.9% plus 5% in line with published health policy. Increasing duty on hand rolling tobacco and cigars by RPI of 7.9% plus 6.4% and 8%, respectively.
We know that business broadly support changes that are in line with published health policy and created to encourage the health and wellbeing of their consumers.
The requirement for large offshore retailers to register for GST and the reduction of the import GST de minimis to £60 has been deferred from 1 January 2023 to 1 July 2023.
The requirement for large offshore retailers to register for GST is viewed positively by the local retail industry, as it creates a level playing field for local businesses. Consequently, it is disappointing for these local businesses that this change, and the reduction of the de minimis, has been moved back a further six months. Business do welcome the fact that these changes will be introduced in July 2023 but call for the complete removal of de minimis as quickly as possible to create fairness in what is now commonly a "borderless" shopping market for consumers.
Extending the schedule of tax-exempt benefits-in-kind to include all pedal bicycles (manual and electrically assisted) and bus passes provided by employers to their employees.
The electric bike subsidy scheme did encourage more people to take up cycling and whilst this is not direct monetary support, it could incentivise the take up of bike and bus travel. The introduction should be accompanied with an information campaign to encourage employers to offer the benefit which will be an up-front cost to them.
The Jersey Advisory and Conciliation Service Additional Workload (additional revenue programme)
JACS offers an essential service to employers and employees in ensuring fair and proper compliance with employment law.
Your sincerely,
Alexia McClure
Chief Operating Officer
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