Emergency measures for soaring prices.

05 Aug, 2008

An emergency meeting to discuss ways of helping islanders pay for food and energy bills and to look at options for controlling increasing petrol prices has been called by the Jersey council of ministers.

The move comes just weeks after it was revealed that food prices had increased by 13 per cent in the last 12 months, gas prices were to rise by up to 20 per cent, and electricity costs were to increase by at least 25 per cent.

Islanders face soaring fuel costs with petrol increasing by more than 10p per litre at some pumps over the last year. Treasury minister Terry Le Sueur has declined to comment on the possible options, and refused to discuss whether the States would consider removing the new General Sales Tax (GST) from food.

He has said he hopes that following a meeting on 21 August the council of ministers would be in a position to put the preferred option to the States.