As the backlash continues to grow against Public Services ‘we were only carrying out orders’ proposals to penalise boat owners, airport car parkers, users of builders’ materials and, potentially, newspaper readers, it is increasingly clear that the real problem is the States unwillingness to control its costs.

On an income basis, government covers its costs and should have a £2m. surplus by the end of the year. That swiftly becomes a deficit when States members start spending money they do not have on capital projects.

Yes, investment in island infrastructure is essential and needs to be on a planned basis but this administration has been lamentable in cutting costs which could fund that investment without further penalising islanders with stealth taxes.

If the Financial Transformation Programme was supposed to provide the illusion of activity it is fast becoming a farce.

Yet elements of government are already showing that cuts can be made, further highlighting the wholly inadequate response of government generally.

The latest is the announcement by Guernsey Post that it has already shed 12 administration staff and is now looking to lose a further 12 operational employees as part of a £3m. economy measure – action on top of already significant cuts.

None of that has meant a cut in services and its next step – if it is to head off the regulator from blocking future price rises – is to tackle its pension deficit, an unaffordable scheme based on the States own out-of-control one.

What Guernsey Post has demonstrated is two things: a need to reduce expenditure because there is no taxpayer to bail them out and a willingness to take difficult decisions for the benefit of the operation.

That approach is completely lacking in the States itself which, on its own figures, has around 480 admin.-type staff, more than 20% of the 2,000 civil service total.

Culling that in line with Guernsey Post would save approaching 100 posts and nearly £3m. a year.

But why bother taking difficult and unpopular action when it is so much easier to duck the issue and take more money off islanders?