Latest news with #LindsaydeSausmarez
BBC News
4 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Tax on vape liquid considered by Guernsey's States
Guernsey's top political committee is considering a tax on vape liquids as part of the 2026 budget. A levy on the substances is set to be introduced in the UK from October 2026. It will be charged at a flat rate of £2.20 per 10ml vaping Chamber of Commerce has asked its members for their views on any proposed tax. In a post on social media, the chamber said "a consultation meeting for retailers" would be held by the States. "The meeting will explore potential rates, the impact on retailers and consumers, and practical," it Policy and Resources Committee (P&R) is set to publish the budget for 2026 on 7 October, for debate on 4 November. It will be the first budget from Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez's P&R, where former Chief Minister Gavin St Pier is taking the lead on financial matters. Current vapes policy A proposal to introduce wide-ranging controls on vaping products in Guernsey was passed by the States earlier this year. The sale of the products to under-18s has been banned. It followed concerns raised by politicians and officials about the marketing of vapes to children. P&R President Lindsay de Sausmarez said she would look at all outlets to bring more revenue in, but would not stop work on the introduction of a GST. Former Treasury Minister Charles Parkinson has been tasked with looking at the island's corporate tax system, alongside plans for a GST, a lower rate of income tax for earnings under £30,000 and reforms of social security contributions. De Sausmarez has previously said she would like to investigate replacing fuel duty with a system where vehicle mileage was tracked.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Guernsey deputies urge chief minister to call for Gaza ceasefire
Pressure has been put on Guernsey's chief minister to write to the UK government to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Twelve of 38 Guernsey deputies have written to Chief Minister Deputy Lindsay de follows a move by Jersey's chief minister earlier this week, in which he wrote to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy urging British pressure be maintained to end the conflict and "immediate cessation of violence against civilians and the release of all hostages." De Sausmarez said she will reply to the letter early next week. Guernsey's lead on external relations for the past nine years, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, is currently not working in the role after he was arrested on suspicion of telecomunications offences earlier this week. Responsibility for external relations is now being shared among members of the executive Policy and Resources Committee. 'Humanitarian access' The letter calls for Deputy de Sausmarez to lobby the UK government to allow "full and unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza", and the rapid recognition of a Palestinian state. "Guernsey has a proud history of standing up for humanitarian values, especially in times of profound injustice," the letter says."While we may not have direct responsibility for foreign policy, we do have a moral voice. "As chief minister, you are in a unique position to convey the deep concern felt by many islanders and to call for urgent action." The letter has been signed by Deputies David Dorrity, Tina Bury, Andrew Niles, Jayne Ozanne, Jennifer Strachan, Neil Inder, Rhona Humprhries, Garry Collins, Hayley Camp, Marc Lainé, Marc Leadbeater and Andy Cameron. It comes as a letter from more than a third of UK MPs to Sir Keir Starmer called for the UK recognise a Palestinian lead signatory of that letter was Sarah Champion MP, who heads the All Party Parliamentary Group with responsibility for the Channel Islands, and piles pressure on the UK's prime minister after France committed to recognising a Palestinian statehood within months. Israel, which controls border crossings into Gaza, has been urged to let more aid into the Gaza Strip as humanitarian organisations increasingly warn of spreading has said foreign nations will be able to send supplies into Gaza via air drop in the coming days. But head of the UN's Palestinian refugee agency Unwra, Philippe Lazzarini, says air drops will not "reverse the deepening starvation" in Gaza and that they are "expensive, inefficient, and can even kill starving civilians".Instead, he says political will is required to "lift the siege, open the gates and guarantee safe movements and dignified access to people in need". 'Gravity of situation' Israel also says "hundreds of trucks still await pick up" at crossings into Gaza as it insists there are no restrictions on aid getting into the the letter from Guernsey politicians, they urge Deputy de Sausmarez to "impress upon" the UK government "the gravity of the situation". They wrote: "The people of Guernsey expect their leaders to stand on the side of humanity, international law, and basic human decency."Referring to Jersey's letter to the UK government, the Guernsey letter added: "I hope that Guernsey, too, can raise its voice in solidarity with all those calling for an end to the devastation. "As civilians, and in particular children, continue to suffer the devastating effects of ongoing conflict and siege, I implore you, as a respected leader of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, to lend your voice to calls for justice, peace, and decisive action."
BBC News
24-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
External relations to be shared following Jonathan Le Tocq arrest
Guernsey's top political committee will share the responsibility for external relations, after the arrest of Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq on Monday morning. Former Chief Minister Deputy Le Tocq had been the lead for Policy and Resources (P&R) liasons with foreign officials for the last nine his arrest earlier this week on suspicion of telecommunications offences, the remaining four members of P&R voted to stop him participating in P&R business until the investigation is over. In a statement P&R said it would "formally consider the future lead for external relations in due course, in the meantime, external relations commitments will be covered by other P&R members." Earlier this month Deputy Le Tocq said officials from Guernsey's States would be attending four party conferences, including the Reform UK event, for the first time. 'Avoid speculation' In an email to States members on Monday night, seen by the BBC, P&R President Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez encouraged her colleagues to "avoid any speculation" on the investigation. Guernsey Police said Le Tocq has been released without charge and while the investigation was ongoing they would not provide a "running commentary". Last month Le Tocq finished ninth in Guernsey's general election with 8,002 votes. He failed in an attempt to be elected as President of P&R, as he was beaten by Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez. In 2014 he defeated former deputy Alister Langlois to become chief minister, after the resignation of Peter Harwood.
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Guernsey could benefit from UK-EU Brexit reset on youth mobility
Guernsey could benefit from a youth mobility scheme under a new UK government deal with the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said as part of a "reset" with the EU post-Brexit there could be a "reciprocal" arrangement in which young people would be able to move abroad for up to two her first speech to the States, President of Policy and Resources Lindsay de Sausmarez said Guernsey officials had been speaking with UK counterparts. As part of the new UK-EU relationship de Sausmarez said: "This could give young people more opportunities to experience living and working in Europe for a time." Prior to Brexit, young people in the Bailiwick of Guernsey had the right to travel and study freely, without a visa, in the rest of Europe and vice versa under an arrangement called Protocol 3. A new deal could see a return to a similar state of affairs. 'More goods from France' De Sausmarez told deputies any new arrangement would not mean any change to fishing rights, as those are settled. However she said there could be changes to border controls for goods."It could provide a good opportunity to diversify our imports and bring in more goods from France," she said."In doing so it could increase our food security, reduce our carbon footprint, and improve affordability as well."She went on to explain where she thought the other advantages of the new UK-EU relationship may fall. "We could see benefits. Our young people could access the proposed youth mobility scheme, the Erasmus scheme could also give our young people opportunities in training and learning," she added.
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
States to buy Leale's Yard for £4.5m, Policy & Resources says
The States of Guernsey is set to buy the Leale's Yard site on The Bridge for £4.5m, the island's top political committee has this year, the States pulled out of a deal to spend about £35m on the project to support the Channel Islands Co-Op and developer Omnibus with the scheme. Omnibus had planned to build more than 300 new homes on the site, with outline planning permission for the project granted in her first speech to the States, Policy and Resources President Lindsay de Sausmarez said: "This site is essential in terms of its strategic importance." De Sausmarez stressed the importance of an improved traffic network in the area to facilitate the building of new housing. "The first priority is to improve the transport network in the area, both around and through the site, as that's crucial for its long-term success in addressing the traffic impact," she said."We are very keen to deliver the best mix of housing that the island needs, alongside other aspects that will support the regeneration of The Bridge, and won't waste any time in moving this forward." Channel Islands Co-Op chief executive Marc Cox welcomed the decision."We are delighted to have reached an agreement with the States of Guernsey for them to purchase the substantial part of the Leale's Yard site," he said. "This agreement will enable the Co-op to focus on our core business, free of the distractions that a complex property development like Leale's Yard entails."The agreement will also see the States free to progress the delivery of much-needed new homes and employment opportunities for the island of Guernsey."
