Jersey’s inflation is half the UK rate
Monday 24th January 2011, 2:56PM GMT.
Motoring costs rose by four per cent
THE cost of living in Jersey increased by just over two per cent last year – less than half the rate seen in the UK.
Figures released by the States Statistics Unit show that inflation in Jersey stood at 2.3 per cent, well below the 4.8 per cent increase experienced in the UK. The cost of living in Guernsey also increased by 2.3 per cent last year.
Housing costs, which include mortgage interest payments, rent, as well as maintenance costs, increased by three per cent in the 12 months leading up to December 2010.
Motoring costs rose by four per cent, with the average price of petrol and diesel increasing by 11p and 12p a litre over the year.
Food costs increased by three per cent, with tea and processed meat suffering the biggest price increase.
And heating and lighting costs increased by five per cent overall, including a 26 per cent increase in domestic heating oil and a five per cent drop in electricity prices.
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THE cost of living in Jersey increased by just over two per cent last year – less than half the rate seen in the UK. IS IT?
We need to have a comparative Jersey-UK trend lines, over the past three to five years? I suspect that Jersey inflation is as bad as in the UK, or maybe even worse. Our past inflation statistics were distorted by the introduction of GST, we are now playing catch-up.
The credibility of the States of Jersey Statistics Office has become so tainted with spin that even if this is genuinely good news it is unbelievable.
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I don’t believe it.
How come rents,food.fuel etc are at least 25% dearer here than UK,oh I know throw in clothes,luxury goods and other items that went down to get this figure.
So now we know there will be very little increases in wages this year!
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so what?!! its still more expensive to buy food and necessities here along with electricity and fuel costs.
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Yes and the moon is made of cheese. Doubtless smoke and morrors have been used to achieve this result.
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There is a classic but true saying, that was first told to me by my old maths teacher at Le Rocquier School. He said ”there are 3 lies in the world, a bad lie, a white lie, and a percentage or statistic………….because with them you can tell any lie but it works out to be the truth !! 2.3% they say, maybe that figure is as accurate as the once claimed ”average Jersey wage” being over £45k pa
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What utter rubbish, Jerseys real inflation rate must be higher than the UK everything is at least a third dearer the States statistic department should be disbanded they produce figures for government and I for one would not believe the silly figures they come out with
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@5 Love it.. and yes average Jersey wage 45k? my derriere!!!
You can make anything look how you want it to with the correct fluffing of vocabulary, I don’t care too much for that pretense, it is, in the long run, better to ‘tell it how it is’ anyone with a brain and a memory can see the increase on bills and receipts from one year to the next forget the jibber jabber please!!
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Following on from the promising unemployment figures, this is further excellent news for the lower paid, pensioners, small businesses and those on fixed incomes.
Of course, the usual posters will attempt to discredit these figures, produced by professional statisticians in a department that is structures to ensure its independence from political interferenc
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There is a fairly simple explanation.
UK goods are cheaper than the same goods in Jersey.
The statistics department report percentage changes but our goods are more expensive to start with.
So the change in how much we pay at the till is higher for the same percentage change.
We pay more to start with so our prices can go up by 2% and the UK’s can go up by 4% but we pay more because a tin of beans can cost 15p in the UK but more than 50p in Jersey or three times the amount.
The statistics unit is right; inflation is rising at a lower rate in percentage terms but Jersey shoppers are right as well as they are paying a bigger increase in cash terms for their shopping compared with UK shoppers.
Couple in Jersey’s virtual out of town retailers on the Internet and the future is grim for Jersey retail and more.
The States do not realise that Jersey’s economy could be hollowed out to the point that it collapses.
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Shame we hadn’t had this level of inflation over the last five or ten year period… perhaps then OAP’s would not be turning their heating off in winter.
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Meaningless figure…it is in reality more expensive overall to live here.
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If this is to be believed, it is because the prices in the shops have been so high all the time and the greedy shopkeepers have not had to increase their prices!
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I think a few need to go back to school.
Inflation is the rate of change in prices, it doesn’t tell you anything about their absolute values.
e.g. loaf of bread = £1 in 2009, £1.10 in 2010 = 10% inflation.
Different country, loaf of bread = £5 in 2009, = £5.50 in 2010 = 10% inflation.
So, as both countries have experienced a rate of inflation of 10% do we draw the conclusion that the cost of living is the same? No we don’t!
The fact that Jersey’s inflation is behind the UK’s this year is meaningless without comparing the average price of a standard basket of goods.
Can we have some more useful measures of the cost of living please?!
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8 D Mc S – Following on from the promising unemployment figures, this is further excellent news for the lower paid, pensioners, small businesses and those on fixed incomes
Sir you are either Real Truthseeker ( misnomer ) or Baggins himself, fess up which is it?
Totally misleading headline based on misleading stats released by the department of misinformation.
I think you’ll find that 95% agree with me and the other half aren’t bothered.
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Michael, the fact that items are for sale at prices more expensive than the UK is a completely separate issue to inflation. If you don’t understand that, why do you declare it “utter rubbish”?
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Blue Knight,
I presume you have some evidence to back up your comments, as the statistics office have, available on the States website if you want it.
Its very easy to sit in the UK and criticise…
The figures are good news and will result in a (gradual) reduction of the price differences. Mark says “even if its genuinely good news it’s unbelievable”. So bad news is whinged at, good news is whinged at…
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Spin, spin, spin, the States Statistic Unit must be dizzy.
Only the real gullible would entertain such c**p.
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Diesel in UK £1.32 per litre how much on your island??
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I can believe this….. UK is generally cheaper than Jersey so has a lot of catching up to do!
Though looking at the UK’s final quarter on the GDP chart… perhaps the start of a double dip recession?
Look on the bright side though.. at least our petrol is cheaper than in the UK…. shame the food isn’t!
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18 Sarah – Diesel in UK £1.32 per litre how much on your island??
Ah but what’s your average MPG? not a like for like comparison even when you pick one of the very few things that are cheaper here.
Average UK house price £246,387 average Jersey house price £500,000 – mmm, not so rosy now.
PS – minor name change to honour Burns night.
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Farmer Geddon # 16. If I am guilty of suspecting foul play, then so are the majority on this discussion board; many of whom – if not all – still reside on the Island.
On a recent visit to the Jersey, I noted how it had become much more expensive than when I lived there. Furthermore I get the usual anecdotal evidence from friends and relatives who remain on the rock.
If you agree that most merchandise is more expensive on the Island, why can’t you see that inflation is apt to be higher than in the U.K.?
You must surely agree that traditionally inflation has always been higher than on the mainland – why the sudden change? Has Merlin suddenly taken over the Treasury?
Of course I will discuss the issue with scepticism – unless of course you can allay my fears with evidence to the contrary.
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Yes this may be true….excepting the fact that the basic cost of living including utility services and rent,food ect.,is much higher in Jersey
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top civil servant got a 5% pay rise minimum wage went up 5%
1 equates to about £5, 000 extra a year work the other one about £6oo a year.
statistically they both got the same rise ???????
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Farmer Geddon # 16. Hello, hello, hello, what’s all this then?
“INFLATION in Jersey is likely to soar to the levels currently being suffered in the UK, the Island’s Chamber of Commerce has warned.” JEP 25/1/11
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I love it, all the usual suspects from Truthseeker to Pip Clement, all coming up with some excuse as to why the postive news isn’t.
Well, I wouldn’t expect you lot to face facts. Unemployment coming down, low inflation. After my recent trip to New Zealand over Christmas, I can assure you price of food is at least double there than here in Jersey (because they must stock only local produce).
Even Marks & Spencer’s is cheap in comparison to New Zealand general stores.
Jersey is in a good position, all key economic data coming out is positive, and the vocal minority still whinge and complain.
Perhaps a stint back in the days of the Occupation might make you lot realise how good life is here now.
The facts are the facts, you have every right to be misguided and pretend otherwise, but the COM are key to this economic strength by ensuring the key industry remains competitive internationally (yes, FINANCE!). So Deputy Tadier and his ilk are the one’s who want this industry out – therefore they are pro high unemployment, high inflation.
Please vote wise come September.
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I just filled up at tesco and the price for a litre of unleaded was £1.25. I am not sure how that compares to Jersey prices, but i would imagine Jersey is cheaper. Saying that, petrol is probably the only thing that is cheaper in Jersey. Do what i did, leave.
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