Jersey ministers dismiss calls to remove tax from food

Calls to take away a tax on meals in Jersey have been dismissed by the federal government.Treasury and Assets Minister Deputy Elaine Miller stated – in response to a petition which referred to as for the Items and Providers Tax (GST) to be scrapped – that eradicating it could power different prices to rise.The 1,500-signature petition stated the axing of GST on meals – presently set at 5% for almost all of products and companies in Jersey – would assist ease the price of dwelling for islanders.Miller stated the federal government believed one of the simplest ways to assist lower-income households handle the price of dwelling was by means of direct help similar to revenue help and private tax allowances.”Jersey’s low price of GST on all items and companies, mixed with beneficiant private revenue tax allowance and income-related advantages, retains cash in Islanders’ pockets and leaves spending selections to them,” Miller added.”To steadiness the books and so preserve public companies, reducing the GST price on foodstuffs might imply elevating the speed on different items and companies.”Evaluation undertaken by [the] Treasury signifies that the GST price on non-food items and on companies would should be raised by roughly one share level (to six%) to recuperate the income misplaced from eradicating GST on meals.”In July, Statistics Jersey stated the price of meals on the island had risen by 4.1% throughout the 12 months as much as June 2025.