A NEW tax will be introduced on sales of higher value share-transfer properties and land currently less liable to stamp duty and other charges, if proposals […]
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LAWS which currently treat money generated by the cannabis industry as being the proceeds of crime could be updated, if States Members agree.
External Relations Minister Ian Gorst. Picture: DAVID FERGUSON. (30867482)
External Relations Minister Ian Gorst’s proposals would, if approved, update regulations so that a list of approved countries, subject to checks by international bodies, is put together where profits from the industry would no longer be categorised as criminal proceeds, providing they are viewed as lawful in the jurisdiction of origin.
The move comes as countries where Jersey’s finance sector has strong business interests, such as the USA and Canada, have increasingly decriminalised the production and sale of cannabis, in particular for medical use and in some areas for recreational consumption.
BBC News
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image captionJersey spent £190m fighting coronavirus
The treasury minister said she was surprised at Jersey spending £190m on fighting coronavirus in the last year.
Deputy Susie Pinel told the BBC she expected the figure to be higher. It was encouraging to see that it had been directed in the right way and not quite as demanding as we thought it was going to be, she said.
The minister warned, however, that it would take a long time to pay the money back.
She said the vaccination and test and tracing programmes, as well as the opening of the hospitality industry shows tax payers money has been well spent.
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Politicians in Jersey have not always followed the advice from experts, when making decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A new report found that ministers have also failed to communicate when they deviated from the guidance, and must immediately address why.
The Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel insists minutes from the Council of Ministers, Competent Authorities and Emergency Council and Scientific and Technology Advisory Cell meetings must be published immediately so islanders have a clear understanding of the basis on which decisions are made.
The minutes were not made available to the public by Government and a proposition had to be brought forward to the States Assembly to prompt this action. The report says that although these are now being published, there is a significant time delay. For example, the minutes for September to December were published in mid-January .