Jersey treasury minister says budget good for families

Jersey's Treasury Minister said the budget was a "positive, solid, consolidating budget"

Jersey's treasury minister claims families will benefit from measures in the 2012 budget.

The outgoing States are debating the budget during the final week of the current assembly before the new members are sworn in.

Senator Philip Ozouf said measures included a tax break on child care.

The island's deficit is scheduled to be gone by 2013, and Senator Ozouf said the island was looking at a strong balance sheet in the future.

The minister said that about £575m was expected to come into the treasury in 2012.

He said there would also be a higher income tax threshold as well as more duties on cigarettes and alcohol.

Senator Ozouf told BBC News: "We are conscious that many families have been feeling the pinch and with that in mind, this budget proposes to almost double the child care relief for younger children.

"This is the biggest targeted improvement in taxation for families with young children that the island has ever had."

Deputy Geoff Southern wants to amend the budget, and move £20m from the "rainy day fund" in order to continue some of the measures the States have been taking to boost the economy.

He has also submitted an amendment to double the fees paid annually by companies to the financial services commission, and to use that money raising the income tax threshold.

The debate starts later in the final week of the current assembly before the new members are sworn in.