​​The Minister for Treasury and Resources, Senator Terry Le Sueur, has published the States of Jersey’s 2005 accounts.

The key points in the accounts are:

• income is not rising as quickly as it did in previous decades, emphasising the need to continue with spending restraint. However income to General Revenues did rise by £9 million more than originally forecast in the 2005 Budget, leaving us in a healthier position for the year than initially expected. In fact on a basis consistent with that of the 2005 Budget, a surplus of £3 million was achieved, as opposed to the £19 million deficit for 2004
• even after fully recognising these debts, the States balance sheet remains remarkably healthy, showing net assets of over £1.3 billion