Jersey chamber boss blaming tax rises for higher prices

Tax increases are making businesses less competitive, according to the head of the Jersey Chamber of Commerce.

David Warr said an increase in the goods and services tax and tougher income tax measures made competing with the internet more difficult.

He wants businesses, consumers and the government to work together to revive the economy.

Mr Warr said measures such as increasing social security tax would make doing business more expensive.

He said that those and other rising charges had to be passed on to the consumer, making Jersey businesses more expensive.

Sales were down by 6% in Jersey at the end of last year, especially in non-food items, according to the States statistics unit.

Mr Warr said this was evidence people were being much more careful with their money.
(from BBC)