Oh, to be a Channel Islander!

12/08/2008

My friend and I enjoyed a lovely week's holiday this year in Jersey and decided to take the full island tour - which was lovely and so very informative; these are some of the things we learnt concerning senior citizens of The Channel Islands.

1. Single weekly pension payment £167.50 with a couple approx £380.

2. When you reach retirement age you can have a small house for £36 pw.

3. There is no out of work benefit if you do not have a job the parish you reside in finds you work even if it's cutting hedges and give you a living wage.

4. There is no road tax it is in your petrol price and that's no dearer than in Britain.

5.Car insurance has to be valid and in place as you must display a disc on your vehicle verifying it.

6. Also any criminals who are caught and imprisoned must serve their full sentence (no early release) and when they do get out they are put off the island and not allowed to return. (Result minimal crime rate)

7. All immigrants ie: non islanders must rent property and work on the island for 12 years before becoming eligible to buy property and settle there and they then receive national papers making them citizens of The Channel Islands.

Now all these and possibly other advantages on British soil all because they have their own parliament. I say good luck to them but why can't our parliament not take lessons from them?


Isabella Steedman