Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

The States of Guernsey has responded to calls for compensation to be given to victims of asbestos-linked cancer by telling claimants to contact their employer.

The UK and France currently offer compensation to people who suffer from mesothelioma - who normally only live for about a year after diagnosis - but the Channel Islands don't.

Simon Fairclough
Guernsey Political Reporter

Guernsey's Policy and Resources Plan has allowed the States to be "more transparent and accountable" and more "focussed on outcomes", according to the island's most senior politician.

Deputy Gavin St Pier has been addressing his colleagues in his opening statement during today's States meeting.

The plan is an agreement of the States priorities for the rest of the political term, but has been criticised for not being focused enough, with 23 priorities stated.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

It's "unlikely" thousands of sand eels washed up dead on beaches in Jersey were killed by pollution, according to the States.

The fish were found washed up on the south and east coast of the island.

Paul Chambers, the marine and coastal manager for the States, said the fact that only sand eels were found dead - and in very specific areas - means its unlikely that pollution was to blame.

Marine biologist Nick Jouault said the States should carry out more tests to see just how polluted island fish stocks are.

He added he believed the eels were killed by lightning or a sand bank drying out as examinations showed they were healthy and had food in their stomachs.

• Who, what, why: What happens when lightning hits the sea?

Simon Fairclough
Guernsey Political Reporter

The States of Guernsey is now in session, and Deputy Gavin St Pier is giving his opening statement on the Policy and Resources Plan Update, which is being debated today.

You can listen live to the States of Guernsey here.

June Summers Shaw wants Jersey's government to offer compensation for mesothelioma.

John Fernandez
BBC Radio Guernsey

Tomorrow, the States of Guernsey is due to debate the purchase of a new crematorium for the island.

However, two politicians are attempting to delay the debate by placing a "sursis" on it.

Among their concerns, Deputies Sarah Hansmann-Rouxel and Emilie Yerby want better disability access to be considered for the building at Le Foulon.

BBC Radio Jersey

An equality charity says it's prepared to work with Jersey's new chief minister - even though he proposed a clause which would have allowed shops to refuse to serve gay people.

Senator John Le Fondre brought forward the proposal as the States of Jersey were preparing to debate equal marriage laws.

Now he's been elected as chief minister after doing a deal with Reform Jersey members.

Vic Tanner Davey, of Liberate, said while he still doesn't agree with the senator's stance on the conscience clause, they now have to look to the future.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

La Charroterie has reopened after a child was hit by a car earlier this morning.

Emergency services are still at the scene, but traffic can now pass the incident.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

Emergency Services are responding to a crash involving a car and child in St Peter Port.

The road is closed between Sir Charles Frossard House down to Trinity Square at La Charroterie.

Twitter

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

Remember these dead fish from yesterday?

Marine biologist Nick Jouault believes the eels were killed by lightning or a sand bank drying out as examinations showed they were healthy and had food in their stomachs.

He has called for more testing of fish in local waters to see if they are contaminated with pollution. However, Jersey's Environment Department said it already tests fish around the island.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

The number of people seeking help for debt problems in Jersey has fallen to pre-recession levels.

It comes after a peak in 2012 when debt across the island stood at about £5m.

The total owed last year was £2.2m, with credit cards and loans still the biggest cause of debt problems.

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

There are calls for the Guernsey and Jersey governments to compensate the victims of cancer linked to exposure to asbestos.

Image source, Getty Images

Every year across the islands about five people die of the incurable cancer called mesothelioma, external.

People rarely live beyond 12 or 13 months after diagnosis.

The UK and France offer compensation but the Channel Islands don't.

Dr Nigel Minihane discussed it with the States of Jersey - and thinks the victims are being overlooked by them.

The States said it takes its duty of care "very seriously" and urged people to complain through the "proper channels" if suffering from asbestos-linked cancer.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

A chance of rain this morning, but clearing this afternoon.

A top temperature of 17°C.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

It's another grey day unfortunately, but there could be some brighter spells this afternoon.

Edward Rowe
BBC Radio Guernsey

Tomorrow, States members will be - once again - looking at the Policy and Resources Plan.

Guernsey's most senior committee will be providing a review and update with a number of changes.

The proposals affect the whole government system and the priorities of each individual committee, from Education Sport and Culture to Employment and Social Security.

Policy and Resources want a closer working relationship with principal committees to report their progress back to P&R by the end of the year - although some feel this is unnecessary bureaucracy .

The plan has been criticised by the Scrutiny Management Committee which feels 23 priorities are too many and ultimately mean nothing is a priority. The letter said: "The whole process has taken too long. A modern consensus model of government needs to project a greater degree of clarity and progress earlier in a term to continue to command the confidence of the governed."

A number of amendments, external have also been placed with a view to alter various parts of the plan but the biggest one is being placed by Deputy Michelle Le Clerc, who plans to widen the disability discrimination legislation, external to equality legislation covering multiple grounds of discrimination.

BBC Weather

Tonight will be fairly cloudy with some heavy showers likely to move up from the south. The wind will be a brisk east to north-easterly.

Minimum temperature: 13 to 16C (55 to 61F).

Tuesday is expected to be a fairly cloudy day with a few showers. The wind will be a brisk north-easterly.

Maximum temperature: 12 to 15C (54 to 59F).

Jersey:

Guernsey:

Rob England
BBC News Online

The terms under which Reform Jersey agreed to vote for John Le Fondre for Chief Minister have been revealed.

The party published its agreement with Senator Le Fondre on social media.

It includes a pledge by Senator Le Fondre to nominate Sam Mezec as housing minister, which he mentioned in the States Assembly, and other members for roles within the Council of Ministers.

The agreement says: "In the event of them [other Reform Jersey states members] not being voted into other ministerial roles, assistant minister positions will be offered to Deputies Montfort Tadier (in culture) and Geoff Southern (in social security)."

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

There'll be disruption to traffic for the next six weeks around Trinity Square in Guernsey.

Guernsey Electricity is upgrading its network around Trinity Square and Rue de Pre near the former St Peter Port Garage site from today as part of an ongoing programme of investment in the island's electricity network.

It'll be phased to minimise inconvenience to local businesses and residents.

During the first phase, which lasts three weeks, temporary traffic lights will be in place between Rue de Pre and Trinity Square.

The one-way slip road on the western side outside La Piazza and the florists will be closed until 3 August.

Guernsey Electricity says pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

The States of Guernsey is investing £1.8m on upgrades to the IT infrastructure within Health and Social Care (HSC).

The money will be spent on things like replacing the wi-fi and Local Area Network (LAN) around the hospital and community centres, some components of which are more than 12 years old.

A company called XMA has won the tender process to provide the new LAN, having already supported the same process at Guernsey's schools.