Social Security Fund Value Shrinks by Nearly a Quarter

Although Jersey has no borrowing why has no one questioned why there has been such a drastic reduction of 22% in the value of our Social Security funds. The strategic reserve has fallen 4% which is a more realistic performance in the current environment.

Although the losses have been in the hundreds of millions, the States said its funds had done better than the FTSE 100 index, which, in comparison, fell 32% in the same period. It is all very well to say it is the markets but this is money that belongs to the Island and it would not appear to have been managed very well - in fact it is mismanagement on a fairly large scale. Any one in charge of losing nearly a quarter of the value of a fund in the private sector would have been sacked. It might have been better had those funds been switched to cash. The recession has been building since January this year. All the press seem to be saying is "oh well". This fund is future pensions. These have to be funded.

Jersey has also embarked on expansion by allowing imported labour into the finance industry. The State has also expanded. So whilst the Jersey authorities are accused of being an oligarchy by others and some as being Thatcherite - this really couldn't be further from the truth. Because really, aside from not borrowing, they have been far more New Labour complete with spin.

For all the talk of there being no recession in Jersey by the local authorities one of the biggest signals that there is is surely a 22% reduction in value of your Social Security fund.

Depression

I am not talking the economy but rather about mental health. This is a debilitating illness which shows no outward signs of problems. For example with a broken bone you know when it will mend or at least have a very good idea of the outcome.

Depression affects families. The sufferer, parents, spouse, children alike. It also affects friends, everyone feels as if they have lost someone, that cheerful person, who is still there, but is a lost mournful soul. I don't know about other areas of Britain but I don't think Jersey has a very good treatment record in this area.

The sufferer can fall into depression and often people around do not notice the warning signs until it is too late.

Jersey's care of mental illness seems to revolve around sending the sufferer back home even though the home may not initially be the appropriate place for the sufferer or indeed the family. Friends, or more usually acquaintances, are seen less frequently.

In order to obtain treatment for a loved one in Jersey requires constant pushing of the authorities. Trouble is if you say you can't cope then other parties become involved and there is further fear for the sufferer that they may look at the welfare of the family when concentration of care should be first and foremost looking at the sufferer. Whilst the sufferer is given pills and potions there appears to be no early support to look at the cause, to help the sufferer. It almost seems there is "just let them get on with it" mentality. Why can there not be a structured caring environment locally that the sufferer can go to where they will get the proper care and support from health care professionals and family and recover to lead a full life again. Maybe there is some where like this on the Island, but it only seems to be the austere St. Saviours.

Maybe someone knows of suitable locations for structured recovery.

Job Losses

No sooner had the Treasury minister announced that there was "no recession in Jersey" - as if we all believe in the Jersey Evening Post - and all the public in Jersey are fools - than lo and behold job losses start escalating.

101 Toys - all staff in the new year
NSEW - 1 Staff
Woolworths - potential of many redundancies because of the collapse of the company but hopefully a bidder will take over the business.
Ermitage - Hedge Fund - 3 people

In addition Ogier the law firm has sacked four employees on performance based issues and says there will be more. These are not redundancies. There is of course a difference because this means in the future the firm can fill the positions again.

Trouble is Jersey offers little or no support for redundancies.

Offshore Tax Trawl

I see there is also to be another offshore tax trawl. It is interesting to see that some of the sums are quite small. Quite why anyone would want to avoid the tax and risk the fine is beyond me.

The trouble is, and obviously some of these funds are in other offshore jurisdictions, is the way that no-one seems to think any of this is wrong. The politicians state that we are well regulated and have excellent anti-money laundering legislation etc etc but the point they miss is that even though the source of wealth may be legitimate these people are not contributing to tax (or are taxed significantly less) in the country they live in.

Not that I think international finance would wholly disappear from Jersey, but what does Jersey have as a back up to international finance?

Banks & Financial Crisis

The terrible events in India bring into focus another point.

The perpetrators clearly want nothing to do with the west. But the question I have is that when the UK government has now effectively nationalised our banks and is busy trying to investigate Jersey and Guernsey over offshore tax - how then is it acceptable that UK jobs are undertaken in call centres in India. Surely the UK government should also insist these jobs are undertaken in the UK and that all banks close all their overseas back-offices.

Thereby such jobs are brought back to Britain - particularly as the UK taxpayer are funding the Banks.

Hooray

Unfortunately one of the old guard got elected by one vote in St. Helier No 3. Let's hope our esteemed new government doesn't let him become a minister or Assistant Minister.

Anyway good to see some of the old faces out. Generally those that appeared to have forgotten that they were elected for local districts and either felt they were needed on a Jersey or International stage. Let's hope their replacements are worthy successors.

Maybe the incinerator decision can be revisited before it's too late.

Well done to Jeremy Macon, Mike Higgins, Andrew Green, Montfort Tadier and Daniel Wimberley and Eddie Noel. Let's hope they now prove their worth.

An Unjust Society

It is unjust how the funds have been or are being found worldwide to bail out the financial system and the Banks in particularly. Yes I appreciate that it has to be done to keep our financial system and economies functioning and to start them functioning again.

I say unjust because through all the good years, so to speak, governments have been unable to find cash to boost healthcare systems and old age care systems and state pension funds. But now they can find it for the banks - these swaggering snobs that run them.

The UK couldn't make a decent NHS far better. Rather than that they flooded it with managers and accountants and forget about the important on the ground people, the Doctors and the Nurses. They brushed over cleanliness and conveniently blame the hospital and its staff and patients and visitors whilst all the time adding layers of bureaucracy. The same can be said for Jersey and no doubt Guernsey.

And of course what of the Woolworths employees. Though it is no comfort in the UK at least there are dole payments and government support.

But what of our pathetic government in "no recession" Jersey. What support will they offer Woolworth's employees, i.e. locals employed for many years. Probably little or nothing.

If you have worked all your life, come the time you need care, or you have to go into a home because of incapacity, all the assets you have built up, i.e. inheritance for future generations of your family, your home, your personal wealth, your pension, all of these are eaten up by the States or taken from you. Forget about the spouse she can live on £95 per week because she has paid for her house. When she needs to go in then we can get that too. Do any of the civil servants actually care about what they do. Probably not because they aren't the ones who have had their final salary pension taking by the Government or by their employers and had it rendered worthless after years of service. Civil Servants can even be under investigation and keep their jobs and pensions.

And for all those that have never worked, who have claimed benefits, hung round on street corners, gone into A & E Departments to get their methodone, well they can carry on and we can all care for them, at our cost, while ordinary people go into hospital catch MRSA etc. I know this is harsh, but they have chosen their path.

Economy - where next?

The tinkering by the Chancellor of the Exchequer may not be enough to prevent the recession being any worse than it already is. Don't forget we are at least a third into the recession. Things in Jersey started getting or looking worse on the ground - i.e. out in the real world and not on the back of statistics from about May (strangely enough when GST was introduced) and got worse by July, slightly improved in August and then went pear shaped with the Banks in September.

I don't think reducing VAT by 2.5% will have much effect. People who are already drawing in their purse strings will not change their new found habits because of this. Similarly those that are currently benefiting from Interest rate reductions are more likely to either repay excess off their loans thereby contributing to possible deflation rather than spending the excess.

Next year it is being reported that net mortgage lending will be less than zero. That means in essence more being repaid than is being lent. A contraction in the economy.

But what of Jersey and where next. If the finance industry begins to contract and the eponymous J categories start to sell up this will have an impact on house prices in that they will move south. This may help those lower down the scale.

The UK government has of course recognised the importance of finance industries to offshore economies. So whilst there are challenges I do not believe it will be the end of the Jersey finance industry. Whatever the case one has to remember that the Labour government will not probably be re-elected at the next election. So come what may we (Jersey and Guernsey) are likely to be dealing with a conservative administration. Probably the worst case would be a Liberal Conservative coalition with Vince Cable as Chancellor!

Pre-Budget Report and Jersey

In the pre-budget report the UK Government is to look at the Offshore finance industry.

To quote from the report:

Many crown dependencies and overseas territories are significant financial centres in their own right and the financial sector plays a vital role in their economies. The Government recognises the progress made by most offshore financial centres to improve financial regulation and transparency, and tackle financial crime. However, crown dependencies and overseas territories, like all offshore financial centres, face challenges and opportunities as the world is changing. In particular, severe financial turbulence has raised questions for all jurisdictions, while there is growing international pressure to line up standards of financial regulation and meet international norms with regards to taxation.

3.56 The Government will shortly commission an independent review of British offshore
financial centres; their role in the global economy; and their long-term business strategies.

The review will not consider changes to the UK’s constitutional relationship. It will work with the crown dependencies and overseas territories to identify current and future opportunities,risks and mitigation strategies, including issues such as:
- financial supervision and transparency;
- fiscal arrangements;
- financial crisis management and resolution arrangements; and
- international cooperation.

The offshore industry will also have to deal with the incoming US administration.

Unfortunately for all the bluff and bluster of our ministers there is very little we can do about it. If the outside forces choose not to listen then we are but pawns in their hands.

The one comfort from the UK point of view is that they do not wish to look at constitutional issues and they do recognise that clearly financial services form a very important part of the crown dependencies economies.

On a more worrying note the UK government will not protect offshore deposits.

So maybe Jersey and Guernsey should have contingencies. Rather than independence on its own they should perhaps look to be independent but within the EU in order to benefit from EU subsidies and grants and defence. But perhaps that is a thought for the future.

There may be interesting times ahead.

Don't Shop with Sandpiper Possibly

I know I have said this before but why do people bother to shop in the local Marks & Spencer when Sandpiper so readily rip customers off through their franchises or through Checkers, Victor Hugo and Wine Warehouse here in rip off Jersey. They could not be bothered to have the 20% discount day that the main M & S was having. Well simple answer is if they want to rip the Channel Islands public off then we can rip them off - don't use them or at least really cut back your spend in their shops and forecourts - there could be a Don't Shop at Sandpiper day.

Shop in the Co-op and at least get some money back. Shop at Holme Grown in St. Clement. They have some pretty good stuff. The vegetables even frozen are far better value and offer far better taste. The frozen croissants cost 34p each and for the sake of 20 minutes heating are well worth the hassle.

Surely all the local bloggers and fora can spread it around not to use any Sandpiper outlet. Sandpiper choose to hit us where it hurts - in our pockets - the Island can hit them where it hurts - in their pocket - boycott all Sandpiper outlets in the Island.

Why not?

Deputies Election

We had a leaflet through the door from the sitting Deputy, first elected in 1993.

In it he claims to have consistently voted against GST and whilst GST remains will fight to keep the rate as low as possible. He doesn't say he will fight to remove it.

He asks for our vote and details his previous memberships. Trouble is he has done nothing about speeding school traffic in our area, gathering of youths, or anything for the Parishioner.

He states "more needs to be done to control public spending". Well, he has been in for 15 years you might think he might have done more to list his achievements in this regard. I suspect there are none or few.

At the end of the leaflet post he asks us to take our time to cast our vote. Don't worry we will. Can't say who it will be in favour of, though.

Top 500

I think that the local authorities might find that Citigroup which has offices in Jersey is the world Top 500 financial institutions.

So that's comforting for us all!

Building Recession

There is a building recession in Jersey. There are the unfortunate redundancies at Vanni and also at a local builder.

This begs two questions. The JEC is using Geomarine. Part of the Garenne Group of Companies in Guernsey. Have the JEC got an exclusive deal with Geomarine and how does this sit with the Competition authorities and the taxpayer.

Secondly why is the Economic Department even entertaining thoughts that 500 workers can be imported by Harcourt.

Our politicians do not seem to care about the Islanders or those who have been here a long time. But the politicians are happy to take the money we taxpayers pay and at the same time tax all of us to the hilt through 20/20 and GST whilst fawning to the pernicious finance industry.

21st Century Con

It is amazing that some of the staff in local Banks who are now subject to UK Government control remain so arrogant and aloof.

As my fixed rate is due to expire next year I decided to pop in to one of the high street banks - it makes the corner of Broad Street and Conway Street, to see what rates they have.

Now bearing in mind that I am also a customer who puts through a fair salary I would have thought some better treatment was in order. However this was not the case and I received what I would call short shrift and basically "thats all we've got". As it happens I have no intention of using them but it was interesting to see how they treat established customers. But that again is the trouble with being an ordinary punter banking in Jersey. If you were in any other town in Britain you might get treated with some respect. Here if you are not earning millions no matter if you have a good salary some of the oiks just can't be bothered.

Some of these people are only in jobs because the UK government has shored these companies up.

As I see all the banks have been engaged in packaging up debt who then sold it to someone else who sold it to someone else, who borrowed against the packaged debt. So it was all an illusion. Warren Buffett referred to it as far back as 2002 in his annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders as "financial weapons of mass destruction". If you download the 2002 letter from the Berkshire Hathaway website you can read all about it on pages 13 and 14. How clearly Warren Buffett saw matters. But not the masters of the universe bankers who have now all but ruined the world economy.

Surely the Directors of the Banks, no not the shareholders, the Directors had a fiduciary duty to the shareholders (and perhaps customers). Are prosecutions not round the corner for some of the board members of major banks? The packaged CDO's were surely just thin air. How did they not know where the money was coming from. The massive profits which were always announced by the Banks were surely illusory. Has the whole world not been led into the 21st Century Con.

Lucky Escapes

There is the extraordinary story of how two teenage girls survived a car crash in St. Peter's Valley. The link is here.

However what is more extraordinary is that the passenger in the car had also written her car off two weeks earlier.

Whilst no one wants to see anyone injured and I am pleased they were not the question should be asked as to how these people are not charged with driving without due care and attention.

What if a car had been coming along the other way at a sensible speed. It is all to easy to see what the outcome could be.

They are lucky to be alive - but at least they appreciate that.

Backtracking

With the news that the current Planning Minister will not be approving or otherwise the Esplanade Quarter (Waterfront) development there appears to be a little backtracking from the States on this development. Which can be no bad thing.

Better not to go ahead with it now until we know where the local economy is going.

Further signs of backtracking from the Treasury Minister who is now saying "that the decision over whether to appoint Harcourt as the developer of the Esplanade Quarter site will be put to the States for a final decision only after an exhaustive investigation and scrutiny process to ensure the contract is right for Jersey".

See this link

Taxing Times

So with the majority of the world headed for fiscal loosening on the lower and middle classes in order to lessen the effects of recession (near depression) on the wider world what does Jersey do?

Does it fiddle whilst the economy burns? There is still talk, albeit a slight backtracking now, on the Esplanade Quarter (Waterfront) development, a £350m project. Of course financial services companies which are shedding jobs by the truckload worldwide will of course want to occupy a Jersey project.

Then we have 20 means 20 so that corporate structures, can, unfairly, pay no tax. An attraction of no tax can not in itself be an attraction for a business to set up here or indeed to continue in business if its business model dictates that it must retrench in order to survive.

If the world model is reflected here as it probably will be then what happens to our taxation policy which was based on an expanding working population if that working population does not expand. Likelihood is if the economic downturn continues then there will be some selling up and a contraction in workforce. So it follows that certain projects should be mothballed.

Foolish

To try to gain political capital out of the current economic crisis is foolish in the extreme. It is playing with the lifestyles of millions of Britons from rich to poor; And this is what George Osborne, the seemingly ineffectual Tory shadow chancellor, has done by even suggesting a run on the pound. What he is putting at risk is every person in Briton. The Government has not yet committed to borrowing extra and therefore the situation does not arise - yet. However talking up a run on sterling is irresponsible. There have already been enough troubles in the market to cause the ordinary man in the street trouble.

Let us hope that talk of a run on sterling remains just that. We can all ill afford a rise in interest rates of the scale needed to protect sterling.

George Osborne has already shown that he is not up to the job. Resign.

On the Road to ...... ?

Given that Jersey celebrates liberation - Jersey celebrates its liberation from Nazism or Fascism which is, in simple terms, the policy of nationalism, collectivism, national expansion, and state control of the economy. Also fundamental to was that no-one would disagree with the leadership.

Although National expansion is probably difficult for Jersey and fortunately Jersey has no army other items seem familiar now it does seem with the suspension of the Police chief and the apparent interest of politicians in local blogs that Jersey is on the road to a bad place.

What a disgraceful state of affairs.

Answer these Questions?

Why is it deemed appropriate to suspend the local Chief Officer Graham Power for doing his job.

Why is it not deemed appropriate to suspend civil servants under investigation in the child abuse inquiry.

Will the local media give prominence to the Howard League Report to be published on Friday?

Not that the local media will ask this. Maybe the National media can ask these question.

Now Listen Here - There is a Recession

I spoke yesterday about the arrant nonsense talked by our States members.

Particularly to the fore tonight are the Treasury Minister who states that there is no recession in Jersey. As someone who does a Jersey based (not international finance based job) and who has been threatened with redundancy in the past week (albeit with the employer following incorrect procedures) following 29 years of continuous employment I would beg to differ with him and also beg to differ with the J category import Dougie Peedle (or whatever his name is). It is comforting for us locals to know that an import is secure in his States job.

If it is not technically a recession because we have not had two quarters contraction or negative growth it is any ones world an actual recesssion. That is why we the public do not need new tax raises and tax cutting is essentail.

Equally adept at speaking arrant nonsense is the Economic Development minister who states it is still quite easy to get a mortgage. No it is not, Senator. And if you are looking at housing sales why not ask your assistant minister who is in that business.

There is no question that if they spoke to any local business they would know that Jersey is in a recessionary environment where profits are falling dramatically and jobs are being lost.

But then our local politicians do not actually care do they - all they can do is peddle nonsense and hope that we thicko public believe them without question. Anyway if redundancy did come to pass the only choice as a Jersey born person would be for me to sell up and leave the Island. Thanks local politicians - you are f***ing stars.

Business Closures

Do our politicians understand the gravity of the situation Jersey is in?

We have no news of Alan MacLean following the closure of a tomato growing business and the closure of De La Mare Nurseries. What of the jobs that are lost. Jersey will soon have no business left. Jersey needs still to be able to produce food and flowers and needs the land to do.

There is no need at the moment for any more housing sites. The houses cannot be sold at present because prices are too high.

Inevitably there will soon be wider redundancy and business collapses. The politicians bleat that Jersey generally doesn't suffer as much as the UK. What arrant nonsense? And on the mortgage front all the Economic Development Minister can do is appoint outside consultants Oxera. Wow! What great thinking!. Great minds eh!

The government of Jersey needs to know that now is a time for tax cuts. Its not a time for government to introduce new taxation on property with the so called "Blampied" proposals.

Most Hated Phrases

Most hated phrases - see link.

Apparently 24/7 is in the top ten of the most hated phrases. I personally literally cannot believe this and I'm gutted, it's a nightmare. It basically shouldn't of been in the list as at the end of the day I absolutely thought at this moment in time with all due respect to other blogs that this site was fairly unique even though it's not rocket science to write the blog.

Jersey's Downturn - It's gloomy out there

Now in the current economic climate is not the time to proceed with the Waterfront Development. No one is particularly interested in "world class" developments on our Waterfront which are not world class.

If our States had any respect for the public rather than have a referendum on CET one should have been held and should still be held on whether the waterfront should be developed.

There is currently no call for scale of development and which business has an appetite want to move there. These economic times are not the time for boastful statements, it is time that Jersey politicians looked after the local residents who have been employed in local jobs for years - look after the people who elected you.

I can only speak with disdain of the Bankers and the Hedge Funds and their use of financing derivatives and also of those who advised them.

It is clear that these people have effectively ruined the economy. That Banks now refuse to assist small businesses and the ordinary man in the street credit. The Northern Rock is one of the most aggressive repossesors of property.

In Jersey we have the Jersey Home Loans situation. In the current financial crisis which has decimated the Jersey Housing market there is now effectively one lender less. We have heard little or nothing from the Economic Development office other than they are employing another outside consultant Oxera with our money to see if there is enough mortgage competition. Why are the States employing with our money outside consultants whose company and staff do not pay tax in Jersey. If it doesn't contribute to our economy it should not be used by our government.

There are no words of comfort from the States just more taxes of the people in order to keep the financial services industry happy. The only business that is not contracting is the civil servants. We as taxpayers are over burdened by the white collar civil service.

But whilst the majority of Jersey is now in the middle of financial meltdown because of the stifled economy all the States can do, and States members, is burden the Island with more tax, with more JFSC regulation, and still they want to build the "world class" waterfront development. Well it is time to stop that idea now and forget about it. There are housing sites lying dormant, 37, Esplanade has not started. Do the politicians not realise this is because there are no takers.

Forget the waterfront now or shelve it for ten years. And certainly DO NOT ALLOW 500 migrant workers to come in to the Island to take jobs that people who have lived a lot longer.

Are you listening new States members and prospective deputies?

Jersey Home Loans Withdrawal - Bring back the States Loan

Jersey Home Loans have withdrawn or are reviewing the local market. It is not a disaster. There were other lenders before Jersey Home Loans and there will be others after.

Why all the doom and gloom from Channel TV and the "expert" mortgage adviser. The fact is that you do not need a mortgage adviser. Worst rates from JHL have been nearer 8% recently and you can get better on the high street.

Interest rates are down to 3%. Believe it or not but things economically will get better. Interest rates hit 3.5% in 2003 and the economy started to spike.

As I have already stated - if our politicians wanted to help Islanders - NOT J CATEGORY IMPORTS -

BRING BACK THE STATES LOAN and look after the local.

New Starts

In the JEP tonight they allude to the fact that the USA, fed up of 8 years of a republican administration have voted for a new start with the election of Barack Obama. The turnout was some 62%.

What a democracy the Americans have got compared to the Jersey elections. Jersey would perhaps be better off with one vote only. So then people would vote for the candidate they wanted rather than 6 and Senators wouldn't be elected by a default split vote. Also not so many would stand. If only Jersey could have had a new start in the recent Senatorial elections.

Now we have the Deputies election - I am sure some are laudable candidates but a brief reading indicates again that some may be in it for the money. We shall see. Fortunately there is a strong showing in St. Helier No 3 particularly with Mike Higgins and Andrew Green standing. This could see a couple of the sitting Deputies unseated. A new start for Jersey perhaps.

JEP Home Truths Article

It is interesting to note that in the JEP this evening there is a comment article vy Christine Herbert about the apparently woeful state of the local housing market. The JEP are quick off the mark aren't they. My first article on the dire state of the local market was on the 24th July 2008 here.

Then again the media and statisticians are generally behind the curve. On the way it is time to buy when it is too late and on the way down they forecast the downturn when we are already halfway through it and prices are adjusting.

I would not be so gloom laden as I was a couple of months ago. It seems people are getting used to the brave new world and as I said earlier with a slight adjustment to prices things may just start to move again although maybe not at the hectic pace of a couple of years ago. What did for Jersey was the chronic price rises in 2007 when there was so much J cat movement into the Island.

Do you think that the JEP or a local politician will soon be calling for the re-introduction of the States Loan?

Getting bored of Robert Peston

What is the BBC about - it is supposed to be impartial yet it never appears to be - it seems to currently have a liberal left bias - promoting the meritless talents of Ross & Brand. Even Clarkson on Top Gear made a stupid unnecessary comment about lorry drivers. Yes it might have been funny to people who would understand the joke and not be offended but there is no place for it on national television.

And what of Robert Peston; he is now on our BBC news programmes on a daily basis. Here is a link to his blog. This gloom monger in chief appears to be really talking up the recession come depression. He always appears to be right and revelling in his own importance. He is a reporter and perhaps the BBC shouldn't be giving so much prominence to him. If his enthusiastically given gloom laden reports weren't on the news daily then perhaps the mood of the country would be lightened. There never appear to be stories about entrepreneurial endeavour or people that are successfully managing to struggle through - small publicity would help give a further boost. There was almost glee on TV channels about the 34% drop in profits at Marks and Spencer.

But then why should they - currently the BBC seems a law unto itself.

Political Correctness Going Mad

It just goes to show how stupid councillors and councils are:

Here is an article on how easy it is to open lapdancing clubs -

I suppose it's ok as long as no one speaks latin - article here

It is just political correctness gone mad by supposedly elected officials and their civil servants - perhaps they are acting "ultra vires"!

The Disgraceful Ross & Brand

I have never been taken in by Ross. He is a self perpetuating self fulfilling fool. As indeed is Brand. But for both to think it is comic to telephone a 78 year old actor, Andrew Sachs, and leave messages on his answerphone with an apparent revelation (in full detail) that he (Brand) had slept with Andrew Sachs granddaughter. This leaves at lot to be desired.

Their apologies remain baseless. Why do such a thing in the first place. It shows that they thought that they could get away with bullying, for that is all they are, no more than bullies. Effectively it was persecution of the elderly. There were of course a lot of people who stood by and did nothing in the last war when a whole class of people were persecuted. And it is this attitude that leads Britain down a path it should not go. People should have the courage to stand up and say that what these people did was wrong.

Having read the transcript and listened to the two oafs on the radio it is clear that no one can accept that kind of behaviour. To abuse and mock the mentality of the nation and abuse the elderly in a very public way. It is a shame that for so long it has become expected that the public tolerate many sorts of behaviour which for many years before outraged the majority and liberalism has forced people to hide their opinions and allow an anything goes situation to persist for the minority no matter what they do.

What a shame that BBC have not seen fit to have courage and dismiss Ross.

Jonathan Ross still saw fit to hold his halloween party. It was referred to as his children's party. That being the case then perhaps it should not have been so decadent attended by the glitterati but only by his children's friends.

Property Prices - A little too high

Perhaps one of the boosts the Jersey economy could do with is more sensible sale prices for Housing. Of the properties in the JEP many are repeat adverts and are shown by a number of agents. This seems to be a situation peculiar to Jersey. Do Vendors think that each agent as a different set of purchasers.

Any way although agents may state that Vendors are being unrealistic in their asking prices it is the agent who values the property and attracts the seller to put the property on to their books.

So perhaps a cut in the asking prices of between 10% and 20% would be appropriate along with a return of the States Loan and perhaps mixing that with shared equity.