19 November 2007
A major new Imagine Jersey consultation starts on Tuesday 20 November inviting people to give a view on how the economic impact of the ageing population should be managed in Jersey.
It focuses on unavoidable change which will occur over the next 25 years caused by more people living longer past retirement age and fewer babies being born. This will lead to a significant difference in the size of the Island’s economy. In turn, this promises a drop in government revenue and an inability to maintain current States services – unless we alter existing policies.
This is not just happening in Jersey but in many other advanced economies. But, because of Jersey’s small size it poses particular challenges for the island community.
States members attended a full day meeting yesterday (19 November) to discuss the research that has been carried out and to consider some potential solutions. But, said Chief Minister Senator Frank Walker, the views of the public were critical in considering the best way forward.
He said: ‘This will be one of the most important discussions ever between the States and the people of Jersey. There are lots of things we could do, but some of them would make a noticeable difference to the way we live now. I believe that, in approaching this together as a community, there are opportunities to better recognise what people hold dear about Jersey today and build on what we have now which is good. At the same time we can plan for the future and put in place policies which will enable us to hand over a viable, healthy economy to the next generation.’
The discussion puts a new focus on the long-running question which has overshadowed the States in recent years. The question of what is the ‘right’ population for Jersey.
Senator Walker said: ‘The work has helped me to understand why population numbers are not the whole issue. The really important thing we need to appreciate, if we are to make wise decisions for the future, is how we maintain the Island as people want it and ensure that the population has the right makeup to do that. Doing nothing is not an option’.
‘In this first stage, the important questions we are asking are: Should we work longer or raise the pension age; should we aim to grow the economy further; should people living in Jersey pay more tax or contributions; should we allow more people to live in Jersey. If so, how and where?’
The public consultation will be in three stages and is deigned to be open, comprehensive and available to all. First, the Council of Ministers has published a consultation document entitled Imagine Jersey 2035: preparing for the future. This document is available from the States website, http://www.gov.je/; from Parish halls; from the States bookshop at Morier House and from the customer services centre at Cyril Le Marquand House. It is being mailed to members of the Public Consultation Register today.
Secondly, a survey will be published next week both online – through the States website – and in paper form from many different locations, including States offices, Parish halls, the library, schools and community centres. This survey sets out to understand what people value about living in Jersey today and it is hoped to attract a large response.
Thirdly, a public conference will take place next year on January 19 in St Helier, which it is hoped up to 200 people will attend.
To ensure that the consultation is carried out fairly and properly, the Council of Ministers has engaged Involve – a London-based not for profit organisation which advocates ethical techniques in participative democracy. They have overseen the production of the consultation document; they have drafted the survey and they will lead the conference in January.
A group of local people has been briefed on the consultation approach. They made many suggestions to improve both the written document and the overall approach to consulting the public. All of their suggestions were adopted. The group included several young people; a trades union representative, members of both the Polish and Portuguese community, as well as the Société Jersiase, the business community and a representative of Age Concern.
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Notes to Editors
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Senator Frank Walker or Bill Ogley on 440401.
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