Government Plan 2022-2025 approved
Social Security caps
The debate on Senator Sam Mézec’s 12th amendment to the Government Plan resumed this morning. The amendment asked that the Upper Earnings Limit is removed, abolishing the upper earnings limit cap on Social Security Contributions and Long Term Care contributions, in turn raising £7 million and £8.5 million.
The States Assembly voted to REJECT Senator Mézec’s amendment to the Government Plan. 24 States Members voted against and 17 voted in favour.
Catch the remainder of the debate by watching this morning’s States Meeting.
The Government Plan 2022-2025, as amended
The Minister for Treasury and Resources proposed the Government Plan 2022-2025, as amended.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Government Plan 2022-2025, as amended by the following:
- Amendment 1 as amended: Social housing rents policy
- Amendment 2 as amended by the proposer and Council of Ministers: Review of Covid-19 response
- Part three of amendment 3: Health Insurance Fund maintenance
- Amendment 4: Regulation of sustainability projects
- Amendment 5: Inclusion Project
- Amendment 6: Bus pass scheme
- Amendment 7: Covid-19 borrowing
- Amendment 8: Jersey Child Care Trust grant
- Amendment 9: Mental health services
- Amendment 10 as amended: Piquet House use
- Amendment 13 as amended: Women’s safety
- Amendment 14: Ministry of External Relations
- Amendment 15 as amended: Health Insurance Fund funding
- Amendment 19 as amended: Moving funding from SPPP to CYPES
- Part two of amendment 21 as amended: Removal of Technology Fund
- Amendment 22: Stamp Duty
- Amendment 23 as amended: First Tower playing field
- Amendment 24: Alcohol duties
- Part three of amendment 25: Revised borrowing and debt repayment
- Amendment 26 as amended: Air quality monitoring
35 States Members voted to approve the amended Government Plan, seven voted against and two members abstained.
Draft Finance Law
The Minister for Treasury and Resources, Deputy Susie Pinel, proposed the draft Finance Law, which set the standard rate of income tax for 2022 at 20% and amends tax legislation for 2022 in line with the Government Plan.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Minister for Treasury and Resources’ draft law.
The Minister for Treasury and Resources proposed an addendum, requesting that the draft Finance Law has immediate effect. The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the addendum.
Draft Social Security regulations
The Minister for Social Security, Deputy Judy Martin, requested that £76.14 million is not transferred from the Consolidated Fund to Social Security Fund in 2022, in order to help the Government cope with the costs of Covid-19 and fund capital and revenue expenditure programmes.
The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Minister for Social Security’s amendment to Social Security regulations.
Draft Health Insurance Fund Law
The Minister for Social Security proposed to transfer up to £13 million from the Health Insurance Fund to the Consolidated Fund in 2022 for the redesign of health and community services and modernisation and digitisation of health and care services.
The States Assembly voted APPROVE the Minister for Social Security’s proposed transfer from the Health Insurance Fund to the Consolidated Fund.
Urgent oral question
Senator Kristina Moore asked the Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, an urgent oral question: “Could the Chief Minister explain the rationale and the scientific advice for imposing new rules in relation to the Omicron variant?”
This was followed by 15 minutes of questions from States Members.
Skip to two hours into this afternoon’s States Meeting to hear the question being asked.
Christmas speeches
Senator Ian Gorst made a Christmas speech on behalf of the Senators, the Connétable of St. Lawrence, Deidre Mezbourian, on behalf of the Connétables, and
Deputy Judy Martin on behalf of the Deputies. This was followed by a final speech from the Bailiff of Jersey, Timothy Le Cocq.
Skip to two hours and 15 minutes into this afternoon’s meeting to hear the Christmas messages.
The States Assembly has adjourned for 2021 and will hold its next States Meeting at 9:30am on Tuesday 18 January 2022.
Government of Jersey News Release.