Fresh calls to axe GST from food in Jersey

As work continues behind the scenes on introducing GST in Guernsey, there are renewed efforts to have it removed from food across the water.

Reform Jersey –  a social-democratic political party with ten elected members of the States of Jersey – wants to have the goods and services tax removed from food.

I totally appreciate that everyone signing this petition is doing so in good faith.

But it won’t work, just like none of the other petitions have worked.

There is only one sure way to guarantee GST being removed from food – elect a @ReformJersey-led government. https://t.co/QY6NlzMFkj

— Deputy Sam Mézec (@SamMezecJsy) August 4, 2025

Its leader has pledged to do just that if his party wins a majority of seats in next year’s election.

Deputy Sam Mezec is one of the 10 Reform Jersey members currently in the States of Jersey.

Next June, voters will elect 49 people to the States.

Deputy Mezec has said that “there is only one way to guarantee GST being removed from food – elect a Reform Jersey-led government”.

His social media post was in response to a petition launched by a Jersey resident who wants GST removed from food purchases.

The petition, created by David Eccles, cited the financial difficulties many islanders are currently facing and said the removal of GST would be a “great help to everyone”.

In Jersey, when a petition reaches 1,000 signatures, the relevant political Minister is required to issue a response. The response will also be shared on the Jersey States Assembly social media pages. 

A States Member or Scrutiny Panel might consider a petition for debate before it reaches 5,000 signatures or might bring a proposition on the subject raised. 

Mr Eccles’ petition gathered almost 900 signatures within a couple of days, showing support for his bid to have GST removed from food.

The topic of GST and GST on food in particular has regularly provoked intense debate in Jersey, with several calls to axe the levy since its controversial introduction in 2008 amid an escalating cost-of-living crisis.

Despite widespread public protests opposing the tax, GST was introduced in Jersey in 2008 at an initial rate of 3%.

This figure rose to 5% as part of the 2011 States Budget proposal and has remained at that level since.

Guernsey is currently poised to introduce GST as part of a ‘GST+’ package of tax measures in July 2027.

The current proposals is for the goods and services tax to be charged across food purchases, but the details need to be approved by the States before then.

When the States approved the introduction of GST+ during the 2025 Budget debate, it was intended to be launched in January 2027, but that date has already been pushed back to July 2027.

The decision to back GST+ was made on the basis of it being a 5% levy on all purchases.

However, the former Policy and Resources President, Deputy Lyndon Trott said before his retirement from the States that it is likely to be higher than that by the time it is actually introduced.