Jersey

A recent report from our Gov't showed that the financial services sector provided slightly less than 60% to the islands economy, tourism and agriculture combined less than 7%, like I say incidental, the other 33% being made up of the services industries.

The offshore finance industry was instigated in 1961, and has grown to a level whereby in excess of £60bn passes through Jersey annually. We have had a flat 20% tax rate since 1947, but taking into account various allowances the majority of the population pay less than 13% tax. As for being a tax haven with dodgy dealings, there is more bent money passing through the banks of the onshore jurisdictions such as the UK and US than passes through the whole of the Offshore finance industry. Jersey is considered to be one of the best regulated jurisdictions, with strict anti-money laundering procedures and laws.

As for "cheap" labour, the UK can't stand on ceremony there, at least all labour in Jersey in monitored and we have very few if any "illegals" working here. Those in cheap labour, live in reasonable accomodation (not dos-houses) and in the main send their money home, so are supporting other economies which are not as advanced as ours.

One thing you may not have noticed as you travelled around the islands that are a legacy from the Occupation are the road makings, which are a yellow line at each junction which means stop, not give way. These were introduced by the occupying forces, ironically it was Germany who recently tried to impose a standard across Europe and have these removed from Jersey roads.

My implication was not that the Jersey's banking system was in any way 'dodgy' but that to have an economy that is so reliant on one thing, and as such is not as stable as it may appear. Any change of EU tax or banking rules could effect the business without much warning making the 'offshore account' less attractive. It may never happen, but having a diverse economy would make the possibility less problematic.

As for the rules being more stringent there than the rest of the UK, I can't open an account in a UK bank without proving that I am a resident of the UK. That is not the case with the Jersey banks, in fact if it was, again the Jersey banking system would be less attractive.

I also didn't say that the poles or Portuguese were living in 'doss houses'. They aren't in the UK, so why should they be there. They do however provide many of the labor in the Hotels, restaurants, supporting the tourist industry and in cleaning/service sector. These jobs are traditionally at the lower end of the market.

You seem to think I am ripping into Jersey... I am only pointing out that it may not be the paradise that some make it out to be.

 

My implication was not that the Jersey's banking system was in any way 'dodgy' but that to have an economy that is so reliant on one thing, and as such is not as stable as it may appear. Any change of EU tax or banking rules could effect the business without much warning making the 'offshore account' less attractive. It may never happen, but having a diverse economy would make the possibility less problematic.

As for the rules being more stringent there than the rest of the UK, I can't open an account in a UK bank without proving that I am a resident of the UK. That is not the case with the Jersey banks, in fact if it was, again the Jersey banking system would be less attractive.

I also didn't say that the poles or Portuguese were living in 'doss houses'. They aren't in the UK, so why should they be there. They do however provide many of the labor in the Hotels, restaurants, supporting the tourist industry and in cleaning/service sector. These jobs are traditionally at the lower end of the market.

You seem to think I am ripping into Jersey... I am only pointing out that it may not be the paradise that some make it out to be.

A change in EU banking regulation would have very little effect as such, though we are tied to the EU through the treaty of Rome for Trade and Agriculture, we are still autonomous when it comes to our own tax legislation and the majority of the monies that now pass through the Channel Islands come from other parts of the world and not Europe.
<O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p

I would challenge you to try and open two accounts, one in the UK and one in Jersey, I can guarantee it will be a lot more difficult to open one here than anywhere in the UK. I do both on a regular basis, and the paper work I have to complete or provide to open an offshore account is twice that for an onshore account. It’s all part of the regulation that has been imposed on us by the OECD.

<O:p
<O:p
The <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comhttp://www.ww2talk.com/forum/ /><st1:country-region w:st=UK</st1:country-region>, I can't open an account in a UK bank without proving that I am a resident of the <st1:country-region w:st=" /><st1:country-region w:st="on"><ST1:pUK </ST1:p</st1:country-region>and US are quick to accuse the offshore world of assisting in Money Laundering, Proceeds of Crime and the Funding of Terrorism. Unfortunately when it comes to keeping their own house in order they do not practice what they preach.
<O:p</O:p
<O:p

I agree, you didn't, but you did imply that we were benefiting in some sinister way from the exploitation of a migrant workforce. Due to the very nature of our housing laws and regulation of undertaking laws, these are truly migrant workers who can only come to the island for a period of up to 9 months and then move on (There are one or two exceptions), yes their salaries are probably below the average for the island which stands at £31k a year, however the minimum wage is higher than that in the UK and, more than likely, in excess of what they would receive at home.<O:p
<O:p

As I said before, we have very few if any illegal immigrants living in squalid conditions, unlike the UK
<ST1:p
<O:p

I don't consider it to be a paradise, but having lived and worked in the <st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region> and <ST1:pJersey</ST1:pl, I know which I prefer. The opportunities and standard of living which I and my English born wife enjoy here, we could only have dreamed of if we had stayed in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><ST1:place</st1:country-region>

 

Also along the beach at St. Ouens was a Bunker with a French Tank turret mounted on top (Char-b?) which contained the Channel Islands Military Museum. which was a superb collection of militaria with some of the finest preserved examples of German & Allied kit i've ever seen anywhere, part owned by a chap who runs a militaria shop from the back of his clothes shop in St. Helier, very friendly bloke who helped add to 2 mates Kriegsmarine and Propaganda collections.

My mother's childhood home was -- according to her -- the German command center for Guernsey. That makes some sense since her home was later used as a small hotel and it overlooks St. Peter Port. At the very least, it was a billet for several high ranking officers during the occupation.

When she and her family returned to their home after the War, their furniture and most of their belongings were still there, along with closets and drawers full of German military materials. The military hardware had all been removed but the house was full of uniforms, flags and other non-weapons.

My mother recalls her parents removing everything from the house, piling it in the back yard, and burning it.

That said, you probably found such good militaria in the museum because there was so much of it on the island after the surrender.

 

Just came back last week from a great weekend in Jersey

 

Had a look inside this one by luck

 

Cool indeed!

Is the second tower the one that has been refurbished and is now let as a holiday home?

CS

 

Cool indeed!

Is the second tower the one that has been refurbished and is now let as a holiday home?

CS

yes it is

 

Ah well, I will have to keep buying those lottery tickets if I want to spend a few days in a place like that. I've been to Jersey for a short holiday and several times on business and would love to take a week or so to explore the concrete and the restaurants but the bike needs new discs and the cats looking a bit sick and the roofs a bit dodgy here and there...you know how it is!

 

View from the range finder tower

 

Ah well, I will have to keep buying those lottery tickets if I want to spend a few days in a place like that. I've been to Jersey for a short holiday and several times on business and would love to take a week or so to explore the concrete and the restaurants but the bike needs new discs and the cats looking a bit sick and the roofs a bit dodgy here and there...you know how it is!


Your right it is a lot of money to stay there

 

It looks like I have missed a lot by never visiting the Channel Islands, but the thread has been very enlightening.

Just been checking out the web and found this Portal site with a lot of, what appears to be, good links.

Atlantikwall.co.uk


The Jersey Bunkers has a lot of information on the installations.

For anyone paying a visit here are the opening times of the installations and bunkers for 2009.

Opening Times

Regards
Tom

 

View from the range finder tower


UKsubs

You've brought back some great memories for me with this picture. I've been lucky enough to watch the sun go down, see Corbiere lighthouse wreathed in fog and also being lashed by a storm. My favourite place on the whole island.

It was next to impossible to get to see the bunker systems when I used to commute out there for a project 13 years ago.

There were a couple of great seafood restaurants in Gorey.

Will go back there again one day, that's for sure.

 

I've still not been back. I'd like to photograph the Jersey WW2 Roll of Honour. Lt Cyril John Le Rue is listed and was killed in action in Belgium, in the advance to Holland. He was an Officer in my Dad's Regiment and I've been to his grave several times and laid poppy crosses at the place he was blown up on a mine.