Our straw poll suggested a majority of our readers would be worse off under the proposed reforms, based on 26 case studies published by P&R intended to enable individuals and families to see examples close to their own circumstances.
The 26 case studies showed different situations such as one or two adults, with or without children and other variants including gross income levels.
We asked readers to select the case study closest to their own personal circumstances and then according to that States-provided example tell us whether they would be worse or better off if a GST is introduced in the island.
We asked for your comments too and the majority of those were negative.
“…holidays and other luxuries are already on hold in order to ensure some funds are put aside to help with the impending interest rate rise when the fixed mortgage expires so the scenarios shown will make this even tighter…”
Not every respondent gave answers to each of the three required sections, with some people not specifying which case study they come under.
Poll results:
The largest category of respondents came under case study 7 – two adults (16-64) with child(ren) and a gross income of £97,875 including benefits.
That case study suggests that it would leave people £686 or 0.7% ‘worse off’ if GST is introduced.
That accounted for 16% of respondents to our online straw poll.
Pictured: The majority of respondents to our survey came under case study 7 which would leave them worse off with GST introduced.
The next two most popular categories were case study 8, two adults (16-64) with a gross income (incl benefits) of £85,474 and case study 22, one adult (16-64) with a gross income (incl benefits) of £48,424.
Those two case studies would leave people worse off by £344 and £341 per year respectively.
81% of respondents in total identified with a case study which would leave them worse off if a GST were introduced, while 13% said they would be better off and 6% said they’d be left in a ‘neutral’ financial position.
“…completely happy to be worse off because we are more fortunate than others and community is all about contributing to on behalf of those who can’t support themselves. I am actually surprised we aren’t more worse off than the case study suggests…”
Not every person selected a case study similar to their own situation though meaning some did select ‘worse off’ without comparing their own situation to a case study.
Some respondents said their situation did not match a case study while others said the figures were too vague to give a realistic impression of what life would be like with GST.
Others did suggest that they would be worse off but by a ‘reasonable amount’ with GST.
You can still take part in our poll HERE:
Create your own user feedback survey
READ MORE…
POLL: Are you better or worse off?
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