Rich-poor divide is growing by the day, says Deputy

Saturday 12th April 2008, 12:00AM BST.

THE gap between rich and poor in Jersey is growing wider by the day, according to Deputy Geoff Southern.

He says that 45% of single pensioners and 64% of single parents in the Island live in relative poverty, despite Jersey being the third-richest economy in the world.

In a letter in today’s JEP, Deputy Southern hits back at claims made by Treasury Minister Terry Le Sueur earlier this week that there was no conflict between economic prosperity and social justice.

Senator Le Sueur told business leaders on Tuesday at the Institute of Directors’ annual lunch that Jersey’s improved prosperity would have a positive effect on life for both rich and poor in the community. But Deputy Southern says that with GST and wage restraint for States workers, the Island as a whole will be poorer.

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