Consumer group critical of budget priorities

Carl Walker from the Jersey Consumer Council has criticised the government's budget for focusing on reducing the price of draught beer rather than milk

The head of an organisation representing Jersey consumers has criticised the governments' proposed budget for focusing on reducing the price of draught beer instead of milk.

The government's proposed budget will need to be approved by the States Assembly but includes plans to reduce the duty on a pint of draught beer by 5p.

The chief minister said the tap relief "is a small gesture" that will help the hospitality sector.

Carl Walker from the Jersey Consumer Council said he does not think this move would benefit anyone other than regular drinkers in pubs.

'Dairy industry'

Mr Walker said: "If the breweries are looking to pass that saving on which they should it's not going to benefit them either.

"I would have much rather seen the government try and put that funding into the dairy industry and try and bring down the price of litre of milk rather than a pint of beer.

"That would have been far more far reaching and would have helped more islanders.

"How many of us go into the pub and select a pint of beer based on the price of the pint? We generally don't know the price of a pint until its been served so it's not going to drive consumer behaviour."

In its proposed budget the government said the move was to help the hospitality industry.

It said: "Ministers are supporting Jersey's hospitality industry by implementing tap relief- a lower rate of duty on beer, cider, wine and ready to drinks cocktails sold from large containers in pubs, restaurants and hotels."

"Tap relief is an administratively simple approach used in other jurisdictions to benefit both business and consumers."

It said the policy reflects its commitment to the industry which is a "cornerstone of Jersey's economy and island life".

Politicians will vote on whether to approve the government's budget in December.