'Very Good' Response To States Savings Poll

231 islanders have filed suggestions on how the States can save public money, within four days of the survey opening.

The exercise is being run by the Reducing the Cost of Public Services Sub-Committee, led by deputy Dave Mahoney. It was set up in the wake of the unsuccessful bid by Policy and Resources to introduce GST.

The committee is asking deputies, civil servants and islanders for their views on how the States can save money, or generate extra revenue. The aim is to cut £16M every year from States' spending by 2028.

The ageing population, fewer people being born and extra demand for healthcare and other public services are being blamed for pushing Guernsey towards an overall deficit of millions a year, P&R warns.

The online poll asks for three separate money saving or cash generating ideas, and each must be no longer then 500 words, although it's not necessary to complete three.

Deputy Dave Mahoney says every idea is valuable:

"The number of responses so far is very good, and each and every one will be considered by the Sub-Committee."

Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller is a member of the Sub-Committee and says she was sure people would engage with the money saving exercise:

"There’s a real desire from Islanders to be part of this process and share their ideas. We are keen to see not only new and fresh ideas, but also the public sentiment for revisiting some of the older suggestions that might have been discussed previously."

The online poll opened on 26 June and closes on 14 July. Suggestions can also be handed in or posted to Frossard House.