So what's bothering you about Jersey?

Thursday 17 November 2016

The high cost of housing and food seem to be the main reasons some Islanders have been giving Jersey a poor rating when it comes to our quality of life here.

More than 4,000 Islanders took part in the My Jersey survey, giving a score out of seven - more than half gave a bad score when asked if they can independently afford a decent standard of living and complained that not enough is being done to help those struggling to make ends meet.

The community consultation aims to help shape a shared, long-term vision for the Island and this is one area where there's work to do, many saying they wanted government to do more to address costs that are beyond the control of individual households, such as housing. 

Our health is also worrying us, mainly the growing impact of obesity, the amount we are drinking, drugs, smoking and the stress on the cost of health care.

Most rated health as a four and only just over half (51%) thought we have access to good quality healthcare on the Island.

People complained it's too expensive to go to the doctor and the dentist and say the Island's mental health services need improving.

According to the survey the States aren't doing enough to help the people struggling to live here but they are doing a lot to protect its heritage - an area that scored highly in the survey.

Three quarters of those surveyed rated the way the Island is protecting its heritage positively although there was also concern that current development was doing little to add to Jersey's architectural heritage but also some sense that a more pragmatic approach might be required with regard to conservation issues.  

People also complained that our "electricity & gas prices are beyond a joke”, scoring a low three when it came to Jersey having secure, affordable and sustainable energy. Many said we should be doing more to harvest renewable energy, one saying “it is a travesty in this day and age that we are relying on fossil fuels etc when there is an abundance of natural energy being overlooked”. 

Among the headline results, at least 70% of Islanders scored Jersey positively in these areas:

People, property and the environment are protected against fire;

People and property are protected against crime and disorder;

Jersey's air is healthy to breathe;

Sport is important and valued in Jersey;

Jersey's wildlife, plants and habitats are protected;

The beauty of Jersey's countryside and coast is protected.

You'll find all the survey results here.