Over 1,500 sign petition against GST changes

Monday 29 June 2020

More than 1,500 islanders have so far signed a petition calling for planned GST changes - that would see virtual shoppers be charged for GST on orders over £135 - to be halted.

Treasury Minister, Deputy Susie Pinel, will now have to respond to the petition.

It was launched the day after Treasury Minister Deputy Susie Pinel announced that the ‘de minimis’ level would be reduced from £240 to £135 from 1 October this year, claiming it would encourage islanders to shop locally instead.

It was originally planned to come into effect on 1 July this year, but the Minister deferred this until 1 January 2021 to ensure islanders relying on home deliveries during lockdown weren’t unfairly penalised.

But she then decided to change the date again, bringing it forward by three months.

Pictured: The Treasury Minister brought the changes forward by three months.

Explaining the rationale for the change, Deputy Pinel said: “As we are opening up the local economy, bringing down the ‘de minimis’ level will enable on-island business to compete more fairly with off-island retailers, supporting our local economy." 

Launched by Stephen McAllister, the petition states: “The reduction in the de minimis level will make living standards even more difficult for islanders given the financial impact of Coronavirus. The Government should scrap the reduction altogether.”

With the petition having reached over 1,000 signatures in just two days, the Treasury Minister will now have to respond to it.

If the petition reaches 5,000 signatures, it could be debated in the States Assembly.