This Is Guernsey

By Gemma Hockey

Guernsey’s housing control laws could be scrapped, it emerged yesterday. The Policy Council confirmed that it will establish a working party to investigate putting in place a strategy for the future use of labour in Guernsey.

That will involve the biggest shake-up of the island’s population and immigration policy since the introduction of housing licences after the war.

Deputy Stuart Falla will chair the new group, helped by Housing’s chief officer Stephen Langford. The move has led to speculation for some weeks after being disclosed by the Guernsey Press and could lead to the formation of a population office.

It will also examine how the open market can be used to best advantage as part of the island’s future.

Mr Langford said that, contrary to general perceptions, population control issues were broader than simply how many were employed in the island and whether they could be sourced locally.

‘This is significant because at the same time as concerns have been raised about the impact of population policy, there has been increased questioning of whether the housing control law is the best means of addressing population or economic development issues, given that its prime objective is to govern the occupation of local market housing,’ he said.

The Labour Use Strategy Group will investigate the most appropriate legislative regime to control the population and labour use generally.

‘From my experience in administering the housing control law, I will be able to help in determining how to best support the labour strategy. I will also address wider issues of residency,’ said Mr Langford.

Deputy Falla said that since the States decided population level should be capped as at present, there had been concerns within the finance industry that this policy was in direct conflict with zero-10 changes in corporate taxation.

‘As a result, it is being claimed that business confidence has been damaged, with business being lost to Guernsey’s competitors - Jersey and the Isle of Man - where the operating environment is perceived to be more welcoming,’ he said.

‘Therefore, we believe there is a pressing need to address how economic and population objectives can be reconciled and one way to assist us in this is to establish a strategy for how we use our labour.’

He could not say how long the group would take to bring a report to the Policy Council.

‘There is no deadline but I see this more as a project than an ongoing debate,’ he said.

‘I cannot speak for other members, but whatever report comes from the group it will be taken to the Policy Council and it will be for them to decide which direction to take any recommendations made.’

He said the issue was so complex he couldn’t say what the recommendations might be.

‘I wouldn’t want to pre-empt a solution,’ he said, adding that he did not believe members would ignore the success of the open market since it was introduced in the 1960s.

‘This is such a complex issue. If it was easy, then it would have been solved before now.’

LUSG members will be from the public and private sector.

Institute of Directors chairman Shelagh Mason will join the group.

‘The issues we face are complex and strategic thinking needs to be applied to deliver a system that serves the needs of Guernsey both economically and socially,’ she said.

‘This is a real opportunity to bring together the different States departments and to demonstrate joined-up thinking in such an important area.

‘I thoroughly commend this initiative and am only too happy to be asked to play a part and I’m keen to get things moving in what I see as a very positive step forward,’ said Mrs Mason.