Jerriais teacher to be appointed - and possibly more to come

Wednesday 28 September 2016

The ancient Franco-Norman language of Jersey - Jerriais - has a brighter future this morning.

With only a few hundred islanders now regularly using the language, which was until the 19th century commonplace in Jersey, there were fears expressed at yesterday's States debate that it was “critically endangered.”

But a new primary school teacher will start next month and there could be another two posts created in the near future. 

States members yesterday discussed the issue for over two hours, only to agree to an amendment to the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) by a unanimous 40 votes to none. 

It was the first amendment to be passed to the MTFP, the States’ bid to save over £100million in the next three years. 

Deputy Montfort Tadier, who proposed the amendment, said: “I am quite ambitious when I look at the language and I think we can get to the point where Jerriais is not just preserved as some kind if museum piece, I want us to be much more ambitious than that. I think it needs financing and it needs the support and energy of all of us here to do that.

“I don’t think it matters where the money comes from. The Chief Minister has said he will find money for the teaching of the language and we don’t know where that money is coming from. Let’s not get bound up in the technical nature of where the money is coming from, but we should have a  vote of confidence in our own native language. We should all put on the record our support for the language.”

Education Minister Rod Bryans said funds for the new Jerriais teacher has never been in doubt.

He said: “I hope I can reassure the Deputy. This amendment stems from a fundamental misunderstanding. Over a year ago we were asked for ideas for savings. We looked at everything and one was to reduce the Jerriais budget by £29,000, but not until 2017. No cut has been made and the responsibility for Jerriais now falls within the remit of the Ministry for Economic Development’s portfolio. 

“A united Council of Ministers has already agreed that another £102,000 will be made available for further recruitment of two more teachers. It appears that reports of the death of Jerriais may be premature. There is a desire to keep our language very much alive and to educate children in this unique language.”  

After considerable confusion over where the funding would come from, States members voted 40-0 to propose the amendment.  

The States have decided not to order a review of their tax systems following a near three-hour debate yesterday. 

Despite pleas by several States members for the review, the vote went 30-18 in favour of making no amendment to the MTFP.

Newly-elected Senator Sarah Ferguson proposed an amendment to the MTFP saying a review into Jersey’s tax system is “desperately” required. 

Senator Ferguson said the review was right for the Island as there is a paucity of information about the current tax systems. She called Jersey’s current tax laws “bizarre” and proposed a review costing around £30,000 and lasting between five to six weeks. 

She said: “This review is about obtaining information only. It is time to get solid data on our tax systems and it will come at a very reasonable cost. There have been 32 changes in personal tax systems since 2007 and yet we have had no impact assessment on the tax-paying public.  

“We need to return to a straightforward tax system which is fair. Profits earnt in the Island should be taxed in the Island. 

“The tax statistics are strange, bizarre even and we need the review desperately. In 2007, we had 14,989 people paying tax at 20%, but by 2014 that figure was 5,300. Where are they? I suspect they have moved their assets into companies, but we just don’t know.   

“I am hearing tales of people in tears because they are trying to pay their tax bill. There is great inequality in our Island. Middle Jersey is hurting and hurting badly. That is why I propose the amendment.”

The Treasury Minister Alan Maclean said while he agreed with the principle of regular reviews into tax systems, he insisted that a small-scale investigation, such as the one proposed, was not necessary. 

Minister Maclean said: “I delighted the Senator was elected, but perhaps it would have been better had it been in October. 

“I agree with the principle of what she is hoping to amend and no tax system is perfect, but I do not agree with the method or the timing of this proposal, because much of what she wants has already been done, or it is committed to be done. 

“Why not have a review? That seems perfectly reasonable. What harm can be done and it is surely a good idea to collect as much data as possible. 

“But if it costs only £30,000 and takes five or six weeks, I will remind members of an old saying, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. The chances of having a meaningful review within five to six weeks is remote. It would take months to to do the job properly and take considerably longer than the amendment. That is not to say it shouldn’t be done, but not in this way.”