Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

Guernsey needs to make more information on its finance industry publicly available if it is to shed the tag of a "secrecy jurisdiction," campaigner and former Jersey economic adviser John Christensen says.

Guernsey has been ranked the 10th most secretive financial jurisdiction in the world by the Tax Justice Network (TJN) in its 2018 Financial Secrecy Index.

The island has risen seven places, now ahead of Jersey (18), Panama (12), and the British Virgin Islands (16).

TJN director Mr Christensen said the island was weak in obtaining financial information, external and making it publicly available, citing Guernsey's 2017 decision to keep company ownership information private.

At the time, the island's government defended the decision.

"If Guernsey wants to move away from being seen as a secrecy jurisdiction which attracts dirty money flows, then it must co-operate with international transparency measures, and the fact that it didn't [in not adopting a public register of business ownership]... that sends out very strong signals about where Guernsey wished to position itself."

The States of Guernsey is due to respond to the findings of the secrecy index today.

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

Guernsey's disability discrimination laws will be based on a so-called social model, the politician responsible has tweeted.

Wheelchair user and disability campaigner Aindre Reece-Sheerin has suggested the island shouldn't follow Jersey's example, which he claims follows a medical, rather than social model.

The latter would focus on society being made more inclusive and accessible to those with disabilities, he says.

In response, Employment and Social Security President Michelle Le Clerc tweeted:

BBC Radio Jersey

Analysis of debt judgements in Jersey show a positive trend for the island's economy, according to a group which has looked at island debt.

The Registry Trust has found the number of petty debt and Royal Court judgments fell to a historic low during 2017, but the overall value of them increased to £6.6m.

Guernsey Press

Blue Islands and Healthspan owner Derek Coates wants to run a ferry service between Guernsey, Alderney and Dielette., external

Dan Downs
Weather Forecaster

Rain at first, quite heavy at times, but becoming drier with some sunny spells but isolated showers too.

Winds will be strong, gale force at times.

Temperatures will reach 9C (48F).

Guernsey Press

Health is short of 125 registered nurses, it has confirmed,, external as figures show there are now more unfilled nurse and midwife posts nationally than ever recorded.

BBC Radio Jersey

The number of debt judgements in Jersey fell last year by 12%, according to figures released by the Registry Trust.

However, those who are facing financial difficulties are, on average, owing greater sums of money.

Debt judgements were registered against 1,724 people in 2017, representing a drop in the number of people called to petty debts or the Royal Court.

The number has fallen by more than 50% in just seven years, but the average amount of debt increased by about 31%.

The total value of all judgements rose 15% last year to £6.6m.

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

Five-thousand more passengers flew to Jersey from Cardiff last year, opposed to Guernsey.

Despite lower-than expected passenger numbers in 2017, Blue Islands' route to the Welsh capital will return in 2018 on a reduced service.

Image source, Visit Jersey

The airline says despite offering cheaper fares and marketing Guernsey in the same way as Jersey, it carried just 3,264 passengers, whereas 8,792 flew to Jersey.

"This suggests Jersey’s tourist offering is currently more appealing than Guernsey’s," Blue Islands CEO Rob Veron said.

"We welcome the forthcoming Committee for Economic Development’s publication of the tourism product review, and believe it to be an important step in the rejuvenation of the island’s tourist economy,” he added.

New Guernsey FC loan signing Kel Akpobire could not help end the club's poor run as they were lost 1-0 at Chipstead.

Simon Fairclough
Guernsey Political Reporter

Guernsey will continue to have direct flights to Cardiff, but airline Blue Islands has reduced the number of flights on offer citing lower-than-expected demand in 2017.

The airline is, however, bringing back a seasonal service to the Welsh capital after its launch last year.

Image source, Blue Islands

The route, operated with franchise partner Flybe, will now operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays between 29 May and 1 September.

Last year there was an option to fly on Thursdays, but Blue Islands says it is removing that service due to lower than expected numbers in 2017.

The airline received financial support from Guernsey's government to open up the route in 2017.

Blue Islands CEO Rob Veron says he hopes the route will create exposure to thousands of potential new visitors and boost visitor numbers.

Isla Blatchford
BBC Radio Guernsey

A 31ft (9.4m) high tide this evening combines with westerly winds up to force seven.

A tide warning is in force around the high water at 18:42.

Waves are expected to break over sea walls and water and debris is expected on coast roads and paths.

John Fernandez
BBC Radio Guernsey

A disability campaigner is calling on Guernsey's States to avoid the mistakes he feels Jersey's government has made when creating new anti-discrimination laws.

Wheelchair user Aindre Reece-Sheerin has lobbied for a local law to protect people with disabilities. He believes the current proposals in Jersey follow the so-called medical model, which he claims is inappropriate.

Mr Reece-Sheerin hopes the island's new laws follow a different social model for disability.

"It doesn't look at what's wrong for me, but it looks collectively at the barriers that I face as a result of my impairment.

"But it's not the impairment that is the focus, the focus is on making society more inclusive and more accessible."

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

This afternoon's 15:00 Guernsey to Sark sailing is under review due to the weather.

A decision will be made an hour before departure at 14:00, Sark Shipping said.

BBC Radio Jersey

Public sector workers in Jersey could strike if a new pay and conditions deal is imposed on them.

They are in the process of voting on whether to accept the offer from the States, which says its workforce modernisation scheme will ensure fair pay and conditions for staff., external

Union leaders are encouraging them to reject the deal which they say will leave most employees worse off.

JCSA Prospect Union vice president Mick Robbins said many workers told the union the proposed changes have left them feeling worried and unappreciated.

He said a union member who wished to remain anonymous told him the changes left them feeling "angry, helpless, unappreciated, let down and vulnerable".

BBC Weather

It will be cloudy and misty this evening with some light rain and drizzle.

Through the early hours, heavy outbreaks of rain will arrive, with strengthening winds.

Minimum Temperature: 10C (50F).

The rain will clear tomorrow to leave sunshine and scattered blustery showers, and a significant wind chill.

The showers may be heavy at times, with a risk of hail and thunder.

Maximum Temperature: 11C (52F).

He's straight into the squad for the Green Lions away game at Chipstead tonight.

Coverage of the match on BBC Radio Guernsey from 19:00 with kick off at 19:45.

Rob England
BBC News Online

Residents at a supported living home in Guernsey have been experiencing the wonders of virtual reality.

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

Guernsey has been ranked the 10th most secretive financial jurisdiction in the world by campaign group the Tax Justice Network.

Jersey has fallen two places to 18th, while fellow Crown dependency the Isle of Man is ranked 42nd.

Guernsey has risen up the rankings since it was placed 17th in 2015, now above Panama (12), the British Virgin Islands (16), and the UK (23).

Switzerland, the US, and the Cayman Islands make up the top three.

The Financial Secrecy Index (FSI) is published roughly every two years and is based on publicly available data.

Secrecy is assessed by considering whether companies, trusts and foundations are required to reveal their true owners, the availability of annual accounts, and compliance with anti-money laundering standards.

Markus Meinzer, who led the research, said: "The world has seen slow progress in combating financial secrecy over the last 10 years, and international bodies such as the OECD [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development] have set low minimum standards.

"The FSI measures countries against much more demanding tests and presents a picture of what real transparency would look like."

The BBC has approached Channel Island governments for comment.

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey residents will be able to get the States to respond to petitions under a new system agreed by the States.

Politicians agreed by a 43 to zero vote to set up an e-petition system, external after the election in May.

Accessed via the States website, it will allow islanders to lodge petitions and, if they obtain more than 1,000 signatures, they will be referred to the relevant department, which will be expected to make a public response.

Any attracting more than 5,000 names would be flagged up to be "debated in committee, unless the assembly decides that there is a reason not to do so".

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