From I Raikes.
THE States could easily prevent a lot of unemployment for local people and even help train youngsters at the same time. However, they will find any excuse for the simplest of answers.

Jersey has a lot of local building firms which are struggling against these UK firms coming into our Island. Why can the States of Jersey not give their contracts to our local Jersey firms who are qualified builders and who employ qualified carpenters, electricians, plumbers, painters and decorators etc?

These local building firms, in return, could take on apprentices from Highlands College and train them up. Hence there would be fewer people on hand-outs from Social Security and more people paying into Social Security. In this respect Jersey would be looking after its own Islanders first.

People want decent, affordable housing but we do not need or even want these eyesores like ten- to 12-storey high buildings ruining what’s left of our once picturesque Island. Housing with rooms so small only two people can sit in the kitchen at one time and where you can just about fit a double bed in the bedroom. People might as well live in a tent or a caravan.

What Jersey needs is a good shake-up in the States. Jersey needs politicians who will stand up for their own people. Surely this is what they should be doing. Finance is OK in Jersey; all this offshore banking is paying good dividends to the State’s coffers. We need someone in the States who is more interested in helping the people of the Island.

Immigration should be slowed right down. The States should only allow fully qualified people into our Island, for example, doctors, nurses etc. Even the immigrants have to resort to Social Security pay-outs because of the work situation and this is losing the Island even more money. Also, if immigration was slowed right down Jersey would not have such a housing crisis. Work permits should also be introduced.