Balancing the Books
ITV News reports that:
“Taxes will need to rise or public sector spending be cut if Jersey's government is to balance its books over the next four years. That's the warning of a leading group of economists who advise Jersey's government on its financial plans. The Fiscal Policy Panel warns £340 million was taken out of reserves, or rainy day funds, between 2009 and 2017 to balance the books.”
Just by way of note, the following Ministers had responsibility over that time frame:
“Taxes will need to rise or public sector spending be cut if Jersey's government is to balance its books over the next four years. That's the warning of a leading group of economists who advise Jersey's government on its financial plans. The Fiscal Policy Panel warns £340 million was taken out of reserves, or rainy day funds, between 2009 and 2017 to balance the books.”
Just by way of note, the following Ministers had responsibility over that time frame:
2008-2011 Treasury Minister Philip Ozouf
2011-2018 Treasury Minister Alan Maclean
Spend, Spend, Spend
2011-2018 Treasury Minister Alan Maclean
Spend, Spend, Spend
Meanwhile, money is no object:
‘Liberation 75 is a proposal to join Liberation Square and Weighbridge Place by extinguishing the section of road between the two spaces to create a large, improved public-amenity space,’ Deputy Lewis said. ‘It is proposed that it is completed by and opened on 9 May 2020 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of the Island.
And what does this vanity project cost?
“£1.4m proposals to connect Liberation Square and the Weighbridge have been unveiled”
The other side of the balance...
But on the other hand, cut-backs bite:
“Chronic staffing shortages have prompted one of Jersey’s largest charities to cut a lifeline service offering families of disabled people a break from caring for them, warning of a sector-wide “crisis”. Les Amis, a charity which supports islanders with learning disabilities, have said that recruitment shortages have left them with “no option” but to halt two of the main services they provide at the end of this month.”
“Staff pressures, a lack of social workers and an increased work load have led a service provider to pull out of offering States short breaks. New Horizons provide short breaks for children with disabilities, but say they will not reapply for their Health Department contract once it expires at the end of May.”
Is it just me, or does anyone else think that this government seems to have its priorities all wrong?
Rather than putting aside £1.4 million for a project which is not necessary, why not use some of that to help lifeline services to children.
When the liberation of Jersey happened in 1945, it meant an end to five long years of German rule, when the captive Islanders were set free. Lifeline services provide freedom to help islanders and their families with learning disabilities, and while it might not be as high-profile and showy as the proposed Liberation 75 project, wouldn’t it be nice to give them and their families a bit of extra freedom?
And perhaps if some money was spent there, so that it could feature in the Liberation 75 celebrations, perhaps some of the disabled children supported could play a significant part in the celebrations. That would be something which we could all celebrate and be proud of!
References:
https://www.itv.com/news/channel/2019-03-18/jerseys-government-warned-cut-costs-or-put-up-taxes-to-cope-with-economic-uncertainty/
https://www.itv.com/news/channel/2019-03-14/short-breaks-service-provider-to-stop-due-to-staff-pressures/
https://www.bailiwickexpress.com/jsy/news/care-recruitment-crisis-forces-charity-cutbacks/#.XI9PXCL7Tow
‘Liberation 75 is a proposal to join Liberation Square and Weighbridge Place by extinguishing the section of road between the two spaces to create a large, improved public-amenity space,’ Deputy Lewis said. ‘It is proposed that it is completed by and opened on 9 May 2020 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of the Island.
And what does this vanity project cost?
“£1.4m proposals to connect Liberation Square and the Weighbridge have been unveiled”
The other side of the balance...
But on the other hand, cut-backs bite:
“Chronic staffing shortages have prompted one of Jersey’s largest charities to cut a lifeline service offering families of disabled people a break from caring for them, warning of a sector-wide “crisis”. Les Amis, a charity which supports islanders with learning disabilities, have said that recruitment shortages have left them with “no option” but to halt two of the main services they provide at the end of this month.”
“Staff pressures, a lack of social workers and an increased work load have led a service provider to pull out of offering States short breaks. New Horizons provide short breaks for children with disabilities, but say they will not reapply for their Health Department contract once it expires at the end of May.”
Is it just me, or does anyone else think that this government seems to have its priorities all wrong?
Rather than putting aside £1.4 million for a project which is not necessary, why not use some of that to help lifeline services to children.
When the liberation of Jersey happened in 1945, it meant an end to five long years of German rule, when the captive Islanders were set free. Lifeline services provide freedom to help islanders and their families with learning disabilities, and while it might not be as high-profile and showy as the proposed Liberation 75 project, wouldn’t it be nice to give them and their families a bit of extra freedom?
And perhaps if some money was spent there, so that it could feature in the Liberation 75 celebrations, perhaps some of the disabled children supported could play a significant part in the celebrations. That would be something which we could all celebrate and be proud of!
References:
https://www.itv.com/news/channel/2019-03-18/jerseys-government-warned-cut-costs-or-put-up-taxes-to-cope-with-economic-uncertainty/
https://www.itv.com/news/channel/2019-03-14/short-breaks-service-provider-to-stop-due-to-staff-pressures/
https://www.bailiwickexpress.com/jsy/news/care-recruitment-crisis-forces-charity-cutbacks/#.XI9PXCL7Tow
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1 comment:
Whilst I agree with the overal sentiment - people shouldn’t try and compare capital projects with ongoing expenditure. You can make the argument that the overal capital budget should be reduced to help pay for other areas of States spending, but (specific project wastage aside) that does come with a long term cost. Realistically you aren’t going to solve long term spending issues by focusing on one off capital projects. Increases in long term expenditure (which in many areas are seemingly badly needed) require long term expenditure or revenue solutions.
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