People in Jersey are to have their say on service cuts

Islanders who use services provided by the States of Jersey are being asked how spending cuts could affect them.

A scrutiny panel of States members is looking at the review of government finances.

Jersey is looking at public services that can be cut or scaled back to avoid large debts.

But some argue the island is in a better situation than elsewhere and the best way to get out of a recession is to spend rather than cut.

Deputy Geoff Southern, chairman of the Health, Social Security and Housing Scrutiny Panel said: "We get statements from the ministers saying that things are alright and there will not be front-line service cuts, but we suspect there may well be and we want to know what is happening out there.

"The fact is that very rarely do people get consulted on what the impact of government decisions are and we think the public should have their say."