GST exemptions could be extended to cover more food and fuel as well as newspapers and books.

Senator Len Norman, pictured, who is standing for election as Constable in St Clement, has lodged a late amendment to the GST exemptions due for debate in a fortnight, seeking to extend the exemption to all food, not just that covered by the UK VAT exemptions, and all fuel.

If approved, the amendment would also mean that water, books, magazines and newspapers would be exempted from the three per cent sales tax.

Senator Norman’s proposal has received the backing of the Time4Change pressure group, who say they are pleased that the States had ‘finally’ made the necessary concession.

Spokesman Lieve Hodgetts said: ‘While we are happy with the decision, it does not go far enough. We would like to see GST taken off all foods, children’s clothes, newspapers and books – or ideally, abolished altogether.’

Last week, the Council of Ministers announced that they would back the proposition by Deputy Carolyn Labey to exempt some food and fuel, in line with the exemptions provided under UK VAT.