Rip-off Jersey report shows prices are higher than London

Friday 07 March 2014

Islanders are paying far more than UK residents and even Londoners for basic necessities like housing and food, according to a study that spells out the cost of living in Jersey today.

In a report that is going to reignite the “Rip-Off Jersey” debate, the States Statistics Unit has revealed that housing costs are typically 60% higher here than in the UK, that food and non-alcoholic drinks are 19% more expensive and that household costs such as maintenance, water bills and phone lines were also 19% higher.

Statisticians here checked 4,000 prices against the same methods used by the UK’s independent Office of National Statistics to come up with robust comparisons. Of the ten separate measures in the report, only one, clothing and footwear, was cheaper in Jersey than the UK (by 8%) although recreation and culture costs were the same.

Taking all costs into account across the board, the report found that costs were on average 9% higher in Jersey than in the UK. With an election looming in October, the report is likely to fuel debates on prices, GST, duty and the living wage.

The report found that in specific categories compared to the UK average, Jersey was:

Housing expenditure (rent, mortgages and property taxes) – 60% more expensive.

Food and non-alcoholic drinks – 19% more expensive (12% higher than London).

Housing and household services – 19% more expensive (16% higher than London).

Miscellaneous goods and services – 15% more expensive (7% higher than London).

Restaurants and Hotels – 11% more expensive (3% cheaper than London).

Furniture and household goods – 8% more expensive (1% cheaper than London).

Transport – 5% more expensive (4% more expensive than London).

Alcohol and tobacco – 2% more expensive (the same as London).

Recreation and culture – the same as the UK (11% cheaper than London).

Clothing and footwear – 8% cheaper than the UK (14% cheaper than London).