Guernsey spending cuts survey results reviewed by committees

The States of Guernsey is aiming to cut between £50m and £80m from public service funding over five years

States committees are reviewing hundreds of public service cost-cutting ideas submitted by the community.

A survey earlier this year asked islanders for their thoughts on how the government can save between £10m and £16m every year for five years.

The ideas have been grouped in line with each committee's areas of responsibility and sent for a more in-depth assessment.

They have been asked to report back by no later than 12 January.

The task is being overseen by Guernsey's Reducing the Cost of Public Services sub-committee.

Initial survey results found suggestions around tax made up 24% of public responses, with restructuring and rationalisation at 16%, and changes to benefits making up 10% of responses.

In the coming weeks, the sub-committee is also intending to publish some more information on the suggestions submitted to give islanders more insight into what was put forward.

Deputy Dave Mahoney, chair of the sub-committee, said: "We've carried out an initial assessment of every idea, and we've done that as impartially as possible, through a structured but high-level scoring process.

"But we know committees will be closer to the full cost implications and impacts of ideas that relate to their areas.

"We're stressing to committees the community's expectation that we succeed in meeting the target for reducing costs, which is an essential part of addressing the significant problems we have in our public finances right now."

The States said 637 people responded to the survey, submitting 1,416 suggestions.

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