BUSINESS leaders are on the point of withdrawing support for Treasury Minister Terry Le Sueur over what they say are broken promises to cut spending.

The Chamber of Commerce has sent a letter to the minister, copied to all States Members, condemning the States’ record on expanding government when they have promised to cut it back. The letter, written by Chamber president Kevin Keen, points to a 13% increase in public sector staff over the past decade, £20m in additional spending over 2005 estimates for this year and a potential £40m increase next year. ‘We are on the cusp of withdrawing our support for the Treasury Minister,’ said Mr Keen. ‘Our support was always contingent on things that have not been delivered, like controlling government spending. ‘Government is growing, not shrinking.’ And Mr Keen – the managing director of the Jersey Dairy – says that neither the Council of Ministers nor the States can take the credit for Jersey’s economic success.