ISLANDERS are being asked whether those on the minimum wage can afford to live in today’s Jersey.
With food, fuel, housing and other prices all continuing to rise, the Employment Forum wants to know how people are coping. Those working a 40-hour week can expect to earn £224 a week before any deductions on the current minimum wage of £5.80 an hour. Businesses are also being asked to share their views.
The forum, chaired by Wendy Lambert (pictured), is seeking views on the impact of the minimum wage since it was introduced three years ago. It has issued a consultation paper assessing the effects of the wage, as well as examining the method which has been used to increase the rate in the last two years.
The consultation paper and questionnaire are available online at www.gov.je/ChiefMinister/PublicConsultations.
Article posted on 23rd July, 2008 - 3.00pm
56 Article Comments
Everything is ridiculously priced now!
I was singing in one of the hotels last night as i do on a weekly basis to earn more money and one couple have been coming here for 20 odd years but their children had to pay for them to come this year because they couldn’t afford it and they won’t be coming back! Jersey is completely back to front! It doesn’t look after its own (like the isle of man), it’s just a greedy money-grabbing machine now and it needs to be sorted!
How on earth are we ever going to be able to afford to buy houses or anything! We will all end up moving to the UK!!
Report abuse
short answer no
long answer are you kidding? No
Report abuse
I’m surprised that anybody is asking about it. It’s not possible at all. Food prices are very high and you have got two choices – or eat at work – if you lucky to do so, or be on diet all the time. With 224 weekly soon you won’t afford to buy even a toilet paper. Do so more and soon all emigrants will live Jersey. It’s not anymore heaven on the earth, doesn’t give anything special, just take, take, take.
I feel sorry for all people who want to buy houses here. It’s ridiculous that you can’t afford for house in your own country. The same is with prices of nurseries and private schools. Is it a solution to live like a rat and dont enjoy at all because you have to pay morgage rates? Thats not a point of our ife. Jersey top people should think a little bit about others, not just about themselves.
One is sure – Jersey getting worse day by day… I think it’s time to leave!
Report abuse
Having lived in Jersey from 1952 for 22years, marrying a jersey girl and having 3 children born in Jersey, we had to move to England due to Jersey property prices. We now have our own house and travel all over the world. My wife and I return twice a year to see my Mother and Mother in Law but see Jersey getting worse and worse. Last year we moved my Mother in Law (aged 85) to England. She now says she wished she had done it years ago, her life is so much better.
As for my Mother she died in June 2008 so our ties are now finished with Jersey thank goodness. It is a shame but in 1952 you had a beautiful Island but now it’s too expensive for locals and visitors alike.
All my family say good riddance Jersey.
Report abuse
Come on get real!!! the cost of food products in Jersey are some 20% higher than the UK, what did the States do added GST!!! anyone who honestly believes the States care should be looking for the men in white coats!!!
All you will get from the States is lip service which is what they are good at.
Report abuse
I am a housewife looking after 2 kids under the age of 2 yrs. My husband is in a well paid job. We have no debts (other than our mortgage). We own a two bed flat, but with 2 kids, we really need 3 beds and a small garden. We cannot upgrade because it is too expensive, in fact we are struggling to live where we are. We have asked for help but the states aren’t interested.
Report abuse
No, No, No!! even on our combined salaries my partner and i merely get by – nice things like holidays just keep getting postponed, – if it wasn’t for my partner’s family ties we would be long gone
Report abuse
If all of us are in agreement why is it our government cannot work this out for themselves.
I want nothing more than to buy a home in the island I was born in but it’s to much of a struggle to even save for a deposit over here.
Here’s to living in hope that one day our politicians will open their eyes and start doing what’s best for Jersey!!
I feel really sorry for anyone trying to live on £224.00 a week just not realistic at all.
Report abuse
It’s sadly become a fools’ paradise, the smug ‘j’ cats with their overpaid jobs, their 4×4 driving wives and their spoilt children , i say let them have it. The cost of living, the population etc etc , one day soon it’s all going to implode. hope it’s soon.
Report abuse
simple…………..No
Report abuse
My wife and I have been coming to Jersey for the last 37 years, Last time was last year, 7 nights half board with traveling expenses cost us over one thousand five hundred pounds, went to Australia and seven days cost us one thousand four hundred and twenty eight pounds with the hire of 4×4 for a week.
Jersey is a wonderful place, but paradise it is not My wife and I will not come back this year, or next – we can sit at home, and watch TV as there is nothing else to do in Jersey in the evening…I remember the 1980s when we were called grockles and haemorroids, and did quite often hear people say that Jersey doesn´t want visitors – we are rich enough, and big headed enough, to get by without visiters and horror cars blocking our roads..You only have yourself to blame for high prices in Jersey…..
Report abuse
NO!!!
To expect people to get by on the current rate shows the selfishness of our politicians – let them drop their wages and try to get by on that amount
It should be at least £10 an hour
Report abuse
I am from Jersey and lived there all my life until getting married to Australian. We tried to live in Jersey with our 2 children but it was very difficult financially especially on 1 wage as we couldn’t afford childcare there. We now live in Australia and have bought a 3 bedroom house with large garden on just one wage. I would love to go home to Jersey where all my family are but there is no way we could survive and would all have to squash back in to a tiny flat.
Report abuse
Jersey is such a bore!
Anti children, anti pets anti christ.
Perhaps you think thats a bit strong.
However they have the bronze cow a parody
of the golden calf that the heathens worshipped.
Almost everyone has a BMW or Mercedes whether they are a lawyer or work in a coffee shop.
I wouldn’t mind having kids
but there’s nothing for them here especially
any sort of “values”.
The days of Jersey being family orientaded
are shattered.
Everyone’s trying to out do the other
even my mother in law who lives abroad
says it has such a “sad” atmosphere.
I cannot wait to leave – you’re very welcome to it!
Report abuse
Isn’t it mainly people working in hopitality and agriculture who get the minimum wage who have come to Jersey for a season to make money? they get accommodation and food provided for them so don’t need to buy much and aren’t looking to buy houses. Would be interesting to know if any locals (other than maybe school children) are getting paid £5.80. I doubt it.
Report abuse
Yes thanks.
And on a sunny day there is no place better.
Report abuse
Yes the locals are on the minimum wage as well! Childcare costs need to be dropped as well. I want to go back out to work but at the moment we are no better off if i go to work than if i stay at home and take care of our child. Even those above the minimum wage find it hard to survive in Jersey. Thos who think there is plenty to live on are obviously either rich, tourists, or on states.
Report abuse
jersey born and proud of it!
have lived in australia for 16years have a huge home pool and fantastic weather, BUT there is still no place like jersey on a sunny day i love coming home best times ever
Report abuse
I was born in Jersey and have studied hard to get the qualifications and wages I have which are a fair bit more than the £5.80 per hour and still we struggle. No one cares though. I have twin daughters and another on the way. I love my children and desperately wanted another but I am terrified that with my debts and rental costs my husband and I will either have to declare ourselves bankrupt or leave Jersey altogether. I love it here and want to stay but with no help available for the average family what can we do? I see the families who happily live off benefits and am jealous, I would love to spend more time with my children but would feel guilty living off others’ taxes !
When are the people who work hard but still need help going to get it? All the states seem to do is ADD to the stress and misery of the families over here.
Report abuse
My husband has been offered permanent employment in Jersey, we currently live in the UK. We are keen to come to Jersey but are worried about the cost of housing.
Housing in Jersey seems to be double the price than in the UK. My husband spoke to the agent who sorted this job for him and he said that because Jersey is a tax haven we will be able to afford to spend more on housing.
After reading the posts here, I am very concerned again about the cost of living in Jersey.
Report abuse
JULIE:
Yes housing is expensive and you should look into it before moving. But if you can afford it then it’s worth it for the quality of life. Jersey is a great place to live…. like the UK its just the politicians that get you every time!
As for Jersey being a tax haven… well if you have the millions to hide then yes it is. But if your fella is to work he, like others, will have to pay 6% Insurance and the ITIS. (Income tax Installment scheme) then on top of that theres the new 3% GST on top. Does that sound like a tax haven?
Do your research first!
Report abuse
…. Oh, i forgot to add that we all pay UK prices for our goods as we are ripped off by the retailers.
Report abuse
Julie if you’re not from Jersey you realise that rental prices are sky high here. Even the locals can’t afford the rent most of the time!!
Report abuse
Julie, don’t even waste your time in thinking about coming to Jersey, it will destroy your current way of life and more than likely bring you down to be poor and make it hard to escape the island when you would realise it is the only option.
Jersey is the most retarded place in the world with the most shocking weather. Everyone says they love it on a sunny day, this is because it is a very rare occasion and when it comes around people become like crazed animals desperate for water on the brink of death by dehydration in the desert.
States say how Jersey families cannot survive, so the clever guys raise prices on everything, maybe they think that this will help the families they have said to be struggling!! who knows.
Everyone should listen to the majority of comments made here, because they are exactly right.
If you see a comment made by a Jersey bean saying they love it here. They are obviously deluded and are probably going to be our next stateman!!
Too expensive to live here and I am on a good wage! They added this year GST onto already extortionate prices! for some strange reason states think they need more tax paid to them after it was recently stated that there was £38,000,000.00 just sat in the bank!! This also has made businesses go bust and most businesses left struggling, thank you very much for your decision to add GST after your obvious careful consideration!!!!.
They need to put an education standard on employing politions of Jersey!
Jersey, you do not know what you are doing and it is hilarious to watch the island crumble to the ground under its own stupidy.
Anybody who tries to counter this argument makes me laugh even harder because you are obviously some deluded Jersey proud moron who cannot see what is happening right in front of your face.
Stupidity is willful ignorance or unintelligence. This quality can be related to a person’s actions, words or beliefs, or those of a group. There you go this is the meaning of the Jersey.
Report abuse
Don’t come – far, far too expensive, no competiton between companies, government a very, very, bad joke the vast majority do not represent the views of the majority of islanders – look at GST our new tax!
Report abuse
Think twoce before you do so. I’ve made that mistake…now I have to pay for it. It’s not a paradise any more…
Report abuse
Nobody should be expected to be able to survive on the minimum wage in Jersey. I cannot imagine how people can live on such a small amount, some with a family to support too.
“A nice place on a sunny day” no longer cuts it with me, that can be said about anywhere. GST needs to go. It seems ridiculous to introduce it, then to increase payments to those on income support so they don’t feel the crunch – but what about those on low wages who do not get the increase and spare a thought for any other workers, including some States workers who haven’t either (and are paying taxes too).
Many pensioners have left Jersey, so they’re now spending the pension that’s being paid from here, to the businesses and governments of foreign countries, and who can blame them, as most places are more affordable, more relaxed and far less restrictive than here.
With all due respect, I’m sure most people on the minimum wage are not interested in a consultation paper and the method which has been used to increase the rate, they just want a solution to the problem that they cannot afford to live here at the end of a 40 hour week of hard graft!
Report abuse
I was born in Jersey in 1952 & spent 46 years there. I now live in UK and altho’ I love the island of my birth, I could never go back without winning the lottery!
My elderly parents are still in the island and are really struggling on their pensions.
Goose & golden egg spring to mind!
Report abuse
Tax haven? You’re havin’ a larrf ma luv. It is a haven for inadequate town councillors that elevate themselves to the status of government ministers by title. Not a good idea amongst them.
Fuel costs, once reasonable are now as much as the UK (due to hidden tax increases), house prices reflect London prices and in some cases then some. High consumer costs and now the GST (at 3% this year and surely set to rise to the UK’s VAT rate).
Despite the efforts of the States, Jersey is still a lovely place, but they are doing their damndest to destroy what is left.
Think wisely before going to Jersey. Personally I would love to return but the politics and cost of living are big, big, negatives.
There are still things that make Jersey special, but for people trying to bring up a family and have a comfortable standard of living, it is not nearly special enough. It breaks my heart to say it, as I would love to share some of my experiences of growing up in Jersey with my son but maybe those days are just long over.
Report abuse
I’m 25 and have been married a little over a year! My father is a Jersey boy as is my husband. I grew up in Belfast and can assure you that the higher costs in Jersey are well worth the change in lifestyle. I have a successful, well paid job as does my husband. However, we have got to the stage where we either put all of our money into buying a house and have no holidays, nice cars etc or continue renting and be able to enjoy the finer things in life. I got really excited when I saw the article in the JEP reporting on the new shared equity scheme as that would mean a couple like ourselves would be able to buy a three-bedroom house for the price of a two-bedroom apartment. However when I called Housing they advised that nothing had been finalised, they could not tell me the criteria and that I should join the queue!!!
Report abuse
I left Jersey in January after 9 years on the island. Without doubt, the best decision I have made in ages. I feel really sad at how Jersey has declined.
Jersey is the most overrated destination in the world.
Report abuse
Im 26, work full time in a bank, have an 11 month old daughter who is looked after full time but my partner. We cannot afford for her to work full time as the money she would earn goes straight into paying for nurseries which are shockingly overpriced. Therefore we have 1 income. Im a local boy and would love to buy a property and settle down in jersey. The reality is that we cannot afford to buy a property. We would need a 2/3 bed with a garden. Even with this new scheme proposed I note that advise we would “only” have to pay 260 K, or 1650 approx per month. Thats still too much!! Therefore we have resigned ourselves to renting for the next 4/5 years and once we have sufficient funds saved , we will move to the UK where we can afford to live. Its a shame as my partner who is from the UK loves the island, but what else can we do. The states are losing sight of whats important and that is looking after us born and bred jersey folk, and providing us with the means to bring up families here in jersey.
Report abuse
I lived in Jersey for 10 years and left 4 years ago but I am coming back now. Try living in London and you might think differently. The UK is just the same, knife crimes, terrorism, same living costs as Jersey really, high taxes, long commutes. I would think before not moving to be honest! Everywhere is the same with the same issues, you just have to decided where is the lesser of two evils!
Report abuse
Retarded, deluded, moron, stupid – I teach my children that only people of lower intelligence use these words when they can’t win an argument any other way – it doesn’t take a “genius” to realise that?
Jersey has its faults but it doesn’t pretend otherwise as this forum indicates. The quality of life, if not for me, for my children is unparalleled and worth the higher cost of living.
All school leavers I have spoken to (not going on to further education) have entered into work on between 15k and 25k each after GCSE’s. There aren’t many places where this could happen.
The only people I know on minimum wage are agricultural or hotels workers or students. As mentioned earlier, many have meals and accommodation provided and the bulk of their wages are saved and sent home.
I have a friend who runs a small beach concession and she gets dozens of applications each day from people wanting work, so it does suit some. If all wages were over £10 per hour then firms would need to raise costs to cover the increase in wages and we would get into a vicious circle – more wages, higher costs? If someone was cooking the cafe burger earning double what they earned the day before, it stands to reason the burger would cost double to.
Perhaps we should all be grateful to the people prepared to fill these positions and who stop costs spiralling further?
Report abuse
Tell me who can afford it??
we should go back to thye days when states members were not paid for doing the job they were the real people who never wasted our money on stupid things like sink a road to build more units that can’t be filled.
Report abuse
See message no.20. Thanks for all the posts in response to mine, they have been really helpful.
My husband is over in Jersey now, he says it looks lovely! I have told him that he will need to negotiate a very good deal for us to be able to live comfortably over there!
Report abuse
Totally agree with majority of the comments. Load of rubbish about tax haven beautiful place. There is nothing to do unless you have money. There was an article in a magazine a while ago where they said that Jersey is a place you go to die. Sums it up, breaks my heart as it’s my home and what makes it worse is that no one listens to the working class. Surely only a matter of time before the Island crumbles.
Hopefully politicians will pay attention to these comments. But as usual the secret handshakes will cary on and we suffer.
Report abuse
JULIE,
It depends who you are, if you look at the reports of the HSBC survey, it says Jersey is a dreadful place for expats, and if you are twenty something and looking for excitment and partying from your overseas placement it is. But if you have or are looking to start a family it is hard to imagine anywhere safer, with great beaches, good amenities and with better schools to bring up kids, there’s no SATs testing here. And the other comments are right we do pay tax here, but if your husband has a good job in the finance industry (and why else would he be coming) you’ll find he is paying massively less tax here than in the UK – we even still have mortage interest relief, although possibly not for much longer.
The downside is supermarkets…when we visit the UK we walk around the likes of Tesco in amazement at the prices and the choice.
Of course it’s people like you coming here that drive the prices up for everyone else, but if you don’t come someone else will.
Report abuse
If the water is too hot, then get out of the bath. I did.
There are far too many druggies in Jersey to let my children grow up there.
Report abuse
We left Jersey five years ago because we struggled to keep our heads above water on my husband’s wages. Even when I got a part-time job we were hammered all ways by the housing who raised our rent to £200 a week and the tax man kindly raised our income tax payments. With four children to look after and to feed and clothe meant there was not a lot left over from his wages. We only got off the Rock by the skin of our teeth and a lot of budgeting. I’m often asked if I miss Jersey and I say yes to the beauty of the Island but a resounding NO to the politics and the cost of living in the island. Wake up Jersey politicians before you chase everyone out of the island. Incidently I am a Jersey crapaud with a long linage of Jersey ancestors, many of whom must be turning in their graves at the state of the Island.
Report abuse
To Julie:
As Mark said above. You really should do a lot of research before moving over here. Your husband’s agent should be prosecuted for mis-selling. Yes this is a tax haven, if you are fortunate to have the sort of money that needs that type of facility. You will find the income tax rates here the same as UK. After 14 years here I have had enough and getting out. I really cannot afford to stay here any longer. Believe me, I earn a lot … a lot more than the minimum wage. The cost of food, furnishings and everything else is way above UK costs. It costs a fortune to travel off the Island.
The politicians are quite unbelievable too. With just a few notable exceptions, Jersey is governed by wealthy men and women. It is run like a private members club for themselves and other wealthy people.
Think seriously about what you are doing.
Report abuse
If an average person worked and received double the average wage, their gross pay being £24,128p.a. and unexpectantly a baby was born. What are these people faced with? MMMM!! What feedback do they receive from the States of Jersey by providing a child that hopefully one day will be paying into the economy in their own rights, oh yes the parents get some form of tax relief. MMMM!! And when that child would like to gain further education, it is a no no financially from the States of Jersey.
If an average person did not work since leaving school and unexpectantly a baby was born. What are these people faced with? MMMM!! Oh and had baby number 2 the following year and so on. For that person to receive the same income (whether paid to Housing) they would have to of given birth to three children for an annual benefit of £26,000. When that child or children would like to pursue further higher education, then the world is their oyster.
Every person in every country has an average price that their government should be spending on them, it could be medically, education etc. All I can see is that the government is slowly expanding the gap and has been for the many years that I have witnessed it. The new income support is and just like the UK a complete shambles, it will only benefit the people who are already benefiting. Working families who come into some kind of hardship in their lives and may need financial help will be turned away as your childrens income will have to help your hardtimes. This being the same child that asked for financial assistance to help further their education to give them a good earner but unfortunately could not go to college so he now earns the minimum wage, lives with his parents and supports them. What about adopting Tax Credits from the UK? Our government sit on their backsides when it suits them, oh and Mr Ozouf with his great ideas by moving work to India. What about the local mothers returning to work? Survey what will 2035 be like in Jersey? Well by that time your J cat would have made a quick buck in Jersey and probably raised their children in Jersey and retired back to where they have come. Does anyone know the real reason why the GST was introduced? All I can say is the world is a competitive place and one day if I have a choice to register my company here, Cayman Islands etc I will go for the cheapest. One day Jersey will not be able to compete, to keep their annual registrations down for these companies our GST will keep subsidising. I am pissed off that on average rather than trying to save £1000. for a holiday I have to give it to GST, where is my return for bringing four children into Jerseys future economy??
Report abuse
There are troubled times ahead, I cannot believe that question is being asked. Of course people cannot afford to live here. I have been here for 34 years and until the greed factor is driven from Jersey it will just get worse. We are having to leave as we cannot continue to afford to live here.
Report abuse
My husband and I moved to Qatar a couple of months ago owing to Jersey’s continued lack of high calibre jobs outside the finance industry. We frequently meet people here who think that Jersey is a tax-free haven for Islanders because millions of pounds are invested in Jersey bank accounts from Middle Eastern businesses! They are surprised to learn, for example, that bread and milk are probably among the most expensive in the world, that the Hospital lacks resources and staff are overworked, that schools are filled to capacity, that airport landing fees are exhorbitant, that monopolies are rife, and that rents are beyond most pockets. Has the daft zero-ten taxation rate granted on offshore zillions resulted in the hastily and ill-conceived 3% GST “band aid” solution?
Report abuse
Minimum wage in Jersey is a joke! Having a good job and steady income was not enough to enjoy living in Jersey! Housing is horrible and single person cannot afford to buy any half-decent flat. Even rental is very restricted and expensive.
Higher tax rate (ITIS) coupled with GST helped me to decide that it is time to leave sinking ship.
If States overspending for OWN PEOPLE ONLY will continue, average folks in Jersey will live in growing stress and misery.
Report abuse
In London, Oxford Street you can buy a Large punnit of strawberries for £1.50!
In Checkers you pay £4.00 for a smaller punnet.
Why is this? £2.50 to cover shipping? Rent? Wages?
Until the States regonise the need for the JCRA to regulate the supermarkets or introduce a third competitor the Jersey people will be ripped off.
We all know we live on an island, and we all know that there is a ferry in the morning, but what will the States do when people start leaving one after another to find a cheaper way of life aboard?
Oh I forgot they rely on Finance! But hang on there’s a economic slow down on its way!
Good luck!
Report abuse
People need to understand that prices are always going to be more expensive here because we live on an island and therefore, companies have higher costs due to transporting their goods which results in higher prices. Also, we have a population of around 100,000 so businesses don’t have the benefits of the economies of scale that they have in the UK. As a result, it’s pointless comparing Jersey prices to UK prices because they are just not relevant. Don’t forget, when you pay for something here, you are paying for an extra flight or boat and that isn’t exactly cheap. Also, it’s common knowledge that there is a massive credit crunch going on at the moment and therefore, the UK and US are suffering just as much as us. Jersey is not the only place suffering. If you move to the UK you will still have the same problems because although you willl be paying less, you will also be getting paid less so the problems will still be there. However, I can understand the points of people who have families etc because child care does not involve the selling of goods ie prices are not cost related etc and it must be pretty difficult to watch our government invest stupid steam clocks and bronze cows. I know tourism is important but with the problems with fuel, it is always going to cost people a bomb to get here so why don’t we focus on the problems at home first before we go and try to make the island better for visitors? In my opinion, we should be making the island better for locals first. I will admit though that I only graduated last year and I am still living at home and therefore, have no worries or responsibilities. All I have to worry about is my rent so I am probably very naive.
Report abuse
Steve-I don’t agree with you about Jersey being a great place to bring up a family-I think this is a bit of a myth. I left Jersey a year ago for the U.K and my three children attended both states and fee-paying schools whilst in Jersey and now attend schools in the U.k. The schools here are no worse than the one’s in Jersey and don’t forget that in Jersey you won’t get child benefit and every time your child needs a doctor you’ll have to pay.
Report abuse
Reading the comments, it appears that the vast majority of respondents are extremely negative individuals. Try living in inner city birmingham, or a random town like Heanor or Ilkeston in Derbyshire, and then look at your life styles and homes. Fact is you dont know you’re born. High prices, ahh, boo hoo, bless you. get a grip – you live in an amazing place – you’d be the same old sad whingers wherever you found yourselves. I pity you, but not too much as I will be taking residence on your beautiful isle very soon, yes, with my family and a fat salary. A bientot.
Report abuse
Take a look at what Kev says, he is a future politician without a doubt. As a “recent” graduate, he is probably of an age that suggests he has lived his entire life in this high cost economy, and knows no other way. He seems to think it’s normal, and the less well off should be grateful to be allowed to live here.
He will I hope, one day, discover the difference between necessity, and greed. The high costs here are most definitely caused by the latter.
I was born here in 1946, and I believe I really did have a priviledged childhood. Everything was cheaper than the mainland, the population was about 55000, so there was room for everyone, you could go just about anywhere, without the risk of some bureaucratic jobsworth demanding a sight of your licence, permit, or whatever, that allows you to be there.
Kids had a healthy respect for the law, and more importantly those who upheld it, and other ordinary people and their possessions. Yes, Jersey really was a beautiful paradise back then.
Then this lot in the “big house” got hold of it.They have, over a period of years turned this island from what was probably the lowest cost of living in Europe, to one of, if not the most expensive places to live.
They use the excuse that everything has to be shipped in, well so did it in the fifties and sixties, but when garages make 30p profit per litre, when on the mainland they make 10p, that is not high transport costs, that is greed.
The states give 100 million back to banks and other businesses by scrapping corporation tax, then force the population to pay 3% extra on everything they buy, or use, to make up for it. Tough if you happen to be a young family with children, and a low income, but the states seem to think the banks, with their 12 billion a yr profits, cant be expected to pay it. That would never do.
I was fortunate enough to have travelled around the world by the time I was 20, now I cant even afford a day trip to St. Malo.
However, in all my earlier travels, I never found a place where the avowed intent of the housing authority, was not to lower private rents to the public sector level, but to raise the public rents to private sector levels. Nowhere but Jersey that is.
The hospital recently needed dialysis machines costing some £40000, a charity paid for them. The States couldn’t afford it apparently. They can afford 330 million for a road that isn’t needed though, and 1.2 million for road improvements at Bel Royal, which have just made the situation there worse, and heaven knows how much to make the Weighbridge area look nicer. I could go on, but this is long enough already, but the short answer to the original question is no. Those that can afford to live here, don’t actually need to work, and those that need to work, will end up just making the rich even richer. This lot in charge here could give lessons to the Mafia.
Report abuse
Having looked through the comments on a lot of articles of late, it seems to me that the people of Jersey are on the brink of a taking up arms against the States. From what i read on this subject and a lot of others is looks like the start of a mini “Zimbabwe”
P.S.
I lived there for five years and loved it.
Report abuse
Price of loaf of bread in Asda :40 pence
/ / / In Jersey 1.90 pence
Price of 1L of milk in Asda : 67pence
// // // in Jersey :1.00 pence
i could keep going …but i wont it makes you sad
Report abuse
Having come back after half a dozen years away, the frenzy of the latter stages of the credit bubble were clearly embraced (and facilitated) over here. The feeling of avarice is palpable and everyone is looking to financially put one over on you. Its a shame as a less greedy financial services sector would have kept the undoubted charms the island used to have.
Report abuse
14 years ago my wife and I spent the proceeds of a policy on a holiday on Jersey.The policy had been earmarked for the event for years.We loved it and vowed to return.Tomorrow I have an interview for a Jcat job and the comments posted have been really helpful.I had thought I stood a chance of removing my family to a free country instead of the dreadful high taxed centralist socialist dictatorship under which the rest of the Duke of Normandy’s territories to the north labour.May I just ask,is there an (understandable)resentment of Jcat job holders or may we be accepted as long as it is clear we wouild like to come for love of the place and the job is just the means to that end?
Report abuse
I moved out from Jersey after leaving the army, I had tried to save for a house in Jersey..but got onto housing ladder here in Germany.. I now own five flats to rent, retired at age 50…would not come back to Jersey to live if you asked me….Jersey is NOT the paradise that some people make out it is, When I come on holiday I am amazed at the amount of poverty (although well hidden)there is in Jersey. I know you would not admit it
I laugh out loud when Roger Bara refers Jersey to being paradise in his phone in. I pay 19% vat here, and most things are cheaper that in Jersey and a large flat would not cost more than about 190 pounds a week no green slime on the bedroom walls, well insulated by law, deposits on flats earn interest and must be paid back at end of lease,
Yes, you can keep Jersey, since GST was imposed at 20% in Jersey 17% UK and 3% Jersey tax. I isn’t worth coming on Holiday any more…
Report abuse
MESSAGE FOR BOB No.9
Yes both my Wife and I are J cats and have 55 years Nursing experience between us. Experienced?? Oh yes. Do we get well paid? My backside! Not a hope in heck of us living here. No 4X4 Bob, no holidays Bob. Just struggling to bring up a young boy. Don’t for one minute think all J cats are the same! The states and good people of Jersey lose out ’cause we are off and that’s a lot of experience lost for Jersey folk. Can’t stand the way Jersey gone.
Report abuse