About 200 people turn out for anti-GST protest

About 200 people turned out at Guernsey's Royal Court to protest against plans to introduce a GST.

Organiser Lars Jansenn said he was pleased with the attendance and hoped it would convince deputies to oppose Policy and Resources' (P&R) plans for tax reform.

P&R has proposed a 3% GST, alongside a lower rate of income tax for earnings under £28,000, higher income tax allowances, reforms to social security contributions and the reintroduction of motor tax amongst other measures.

Member of P&R, Deputy Andrew Niles said: "I have been clear: we need to balance our books, we need fiscal discipline and we need to introduce a GST."

Those pushing for this tax reform package were delivered an early win, as plans to delay a decision until 2028 were narrowly rejected.

After a couple of hours debate 17 States members voted for the proposal, with 22 voting against.

Emma Pang, who runs Martin & Martin Designer Goldsmiths, in St Peter Port, said she had joined the protest as she believed it was not what the people wanted.

She added: "No to GST, no to extra paperwork, fix what they have going on before they bring in extra taxes."

Manager of Sun Yachts Simon Hughes criticised the amount of money it would cost him to administer GST.

"As a small business, it will kill us, the extra admin cost will kill us.

"It is going to cost us twice as much - about twice as much as what the government will get from us - plus the lost productivity and wasted time."

Before addressing the protesters, Deputy Rob Curgenven thanked people gathered outside the Royal Court.

He suggested instead of a GST the island should look at a visitor levy and freezing overseas aid.

Deputy Haley Camp said she wanted to see spending reigned in by the States before any future tax rises.

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