Guernsey's 2012 budget approved by deputies

The States of Guernsey budget for 2012 has been approved after more than a day of debate.

Two motions to change the rises in tax on real property and the saving targets for the Health Department failed.

Deputies agreed to a total budget of £361.8m for States departments and committees.

The budget included rises in taxes on petrol, alcohol, tobacco and increases in personal income tax allowances and income tax caps.

All States' departments were also assigned a general efficiency target to help meet the £31m saving target set under the Financial Transformation Programme.

The budget was approved by a vote of 37-8.