THE Chancellor of the Exchequer has sent out another strong message that he intends to limit further the ability of the Channel Islands to send goods VAT-free to the UK.

WHEN UK Chancellor Alistair Darling announced on 22 April that the top rate of income tax was to rise to 50p in the £, he defended the measure by saying it was only fair that those with the broadest shoulders paid more.

TAKEN at face value, UK Chancellor Alistair Darling’s comments that there needs to be a long, hard look at the relationship between Britain and the Crown Dependencies pose a grave constitutional challenge to this island.

WITH such a clear statement of future policy, much attention is focussed on Treasury and Resources and the workload its new minister has effectively tasked its officials and new members to undertake.

ALISTAIR DARLING’S first Budget has been described by local tax experts as a ‘watered down attack on non-doms’.