Latest news with #PolicyAndResourcesCommittee
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Guernsey vape retailers 'concerned' about impact of tax on liquid
One of Guernsey's biggest vape retailers has said the business is "very concerned" about plans to tax vape liquids in the 2026 Dorfner, who owns the Vape Bar in St Peter Port, said the proposals from the Policy and Resources Committee (P&R) could "have a huge impact" on have said P&R has proposed a £2 tax on every 10ml of vape liquid, although the final plans are yet to be published. P&R has been approached for comment. In the UK, the government has decided to tax 10ml vaping liquid at £2.20 per 10ml from October 2026, while Jersey's government has signalled its intention to tax it in its budget for next year. 'You never know' Peter Bierley, who owns The Tuck Shop and Vape Head in town, was more relaxed about plans to tax vape liquids. He said: "Ultimately, customers will just have to pay that tax."Whether it will stop some people vaping - perhaps - I do not think it will turn people back to cigarettes, because we have been told they are going to increase the tax on cigarettes at a similar price."So you know, hopefully, not too much impact; but you never know."Sophie Dorfner, who also helps to run The Vape Bar, disagreed: "It is going to end up with people going back to smoking, because they are going to be priced out." Unregulated products At The Vape Bar, there was consensus that this was still at an early stage and firm proposals had not been submitted by P&R. However, the island's retailers have been invited to meet States officials about the plans. Sophie Dorfner warned taxing the products could have impacts on the local said: "I do think you are going to end up with a lot of people buying things online that are unregulated."They do not know what is in the products, they do not know what they are buying; a lot of those are unregulated products have illegal THC products in. "People are going to end up buying things just because they are a lot cheaper, not knowing what is in them, and that is going to cause more health issues in the long-run."Tina Dorfner said she would wait for firm proposals to be published before making a full judgement, but admitted she was "worried" about the plans. She said: "A lot of people are concerned about whether this will mean they give up vaping and go back to cigarettes, because, once all of this comes in, and also if GST [goods and sales tax] is brought in, it will be a much more expensive product."Last year, Guernsey's States agreed to introduce a 5% goods and services tax, alongside a lower rate of income tax for earnings under £30,000 and reforms to social security contributions. However, those plans are under review while P&R member Deputy Charles Parkinson looks at the island's corporate tax regime. P&R is set to publish the budget for 2026 on 7 October, for debate on 4 November.
BBC News
29-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Steve Falla to be Guernsey's interim external relations lead
Deputy Steve Falla has been given interim responsibility for external relations and constitutional affairs, Guernsey's Policy and Resources Committee (P&R) has role had previously been held for nine years by Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq who was arrested last week on suspicion of telecommunications Police said Le Tocq had been released without charge and it would not be providing a "running commentary" on the remaining members of P&R have since "unanimously agreed" Le Tocq will not participate in any committee business while the investigation is ongoing. 'Change in circumstances' The committee had initially said its members would share the responsibility for external in a new statement, P&R said Falla would fulfil the role for "for the time being" as it was "a requirement under the rules of procedure to have a lead member".It said that it had "revisited this matter" at a meeting on 25 July "because of the change in circumstances regarding active membership of the committee."In June Falla finished fourth in Guernsey's general election with 9,017 votes.
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senior politician arrested by Guernsey Police
Former Guernsey Chief Minister Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq has been arrested on suspicion of telecommunications offences. In a statement, Guernsey Police said a 61-year-old man had been arrested. The politician, who leads on external relations for the Policy and Resources Committee, has been released by police without being charged. Police said inquiries were ongoing and officers would "not provide further commentary while the investigation continues". Le Tocq has been contacted for a comment. More news stories for Guernsey Listen to the latest news for Guernsey Le Tocq lost the election to become the island's most senior politician earlier in July. He finished ninth in June's general election, where he received 8,002 votes. In a statement, the police said: "We would remind the community that this investigation is ongoing and no-one has been charged with any offence at this stage.' The States of Guernsey's Policy and Resources Committee said in a statement: "The committee has been informed that Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq was arrested yesterday and is now the subject of a police investigation. "The remaining members of the committee have unanimously agreed that Deputy Le Tocq will not participate in any committee business while the police investigation is ongoing. "The committee will not be commenting further at this time." In an e-mail to all States members seen by the BBC, President of Policy and Resources Lindsay de Sausmarez urged deputies "not to speculate". She added the news came as a shock and that this investigation "may take some time". Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Related internet links States of Guernsey Guernsey Police
BBC News
28-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Infrastructure plans for Guernsey Saltpans housing development
Outline planning permission is being sought by Guernsey's senior committee for infrastructure at the Saltpans so housing can be up to 190 homes has been suggested for the site off Route Militaire, which is one of four in the area set aside for housing developments amid the island's housing plans include roads, pavements, cycle lanes, bus stops and associated drainage and utilities at the area which previously had plans for the building of a data Policy and Resources Committee said the plans for the site would support the delivery of new homes in the area and work towards the wider regeneration of the area near the Bridge. In April, the committee ran drop-in sessions with the community which it said had helped develop the proposals."Over 100 people attended the sessions to discuss matters including wider connectivity, Bridge regeneration and junction improvements," it committee said the development was part of its ongoing focused review of the Island Development Plan, which is due to be considered by the States next year. It said: "Ahead of this happening, the committee is keen to ensure that transport and utilities infrastructure for the site, and for other housing-designated sites in the area, is properly planned for maximum social, environmental and economic return."A new committee is due to be elected after the new States term begins on 1 July, following last week's general name Saltpans dates back to before the Braye du Valle was filled in and sea salt was collected from the area for export to Braye, which at high tide separated Guernsey into two islands, was drained in 1806 so the area could be reclaimed.
BBC News
27-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
States of Guernsey to close loop-hole to stop tax avoidance
The States has confirmed it will close a tax loophole as part of plans to help tackle the government's £44m the current law, people are able to create their own personal investment companies, lend them money, and then take it back as loan repayments without paying any guidance has been added to the Statement of Practice M45 "Legal avoidance" to make it clear that if anyone uses this type of company to take money out as a loan repayment, it will be treated as a dividend, and Policy and Resources Committee also approved a proposal to amend the Income Tax (Guernsey) Law, 1978, so the change will be included in the island's 2026 budget. Deputy Lyndon Trott, committee president, said: "When it comes to income tax, we have to ensure that everyone is paying their fair share, including businesses and individuals."But we are even more acutely aware of this at a time when we as a government have a £44 million deficit."This isn't the panacea for our financial woes, but we're taking action to close this loophole to make sure that we're collecting tax that belongs to the public purse."
