In April, Guernsey’s business and third-sector associations launched the Voice of Guernsey Business Insight Report 2025, which sets out a collective call to action on six critical policy areas where urgent political leadership is needed to secure the island’s economic and social future.  

Through this report, the G8 hope to focus Candidates’ campaigns on these critical policy areas and help voters to review the 82 manifestoes. 

Now the eight associations are asking Guernsey Election candidates to consider taking two pledges to demonstrate their intent to work collaboratively and focus on the key policy areas identified in the report.  

Candidates can share a pledge graphic and use #GsyElectionPledge on their social media channels to help voters identify their position on the calls to action shared in the G8 Voice of Guernsey Business Insights Report.   

Pledge 1 

If elected, I will work constructively and professionally with all elected deputies, the civil service, and relevant community stakeholders to serve Guernsey in a collegiate and collaborative manner. 

Pledge 2 

If elected, I will prioritise the calls to action identified in the G8 Voice of Guernsey Business survey to support a thriving and sustainable local economy. 

The report—developed collaboratively by a coalition of eight industry and charitable associations—identifies Housing & Cost of Living, the Education & Skills Gap, Tax & Economic Development, Connectivity, Tourism & Transport Links, Government Delivery, and Public Spending as the most pressing challenges facing Guernsey.  

‘We have heard many discussions on these topics over the last few weeks, it’s clear that they are top of the agenda for many candidates. We are looking forward to working closely with our future Deputies.

 ‘We stand by to do what we can to provide insights, support or industry knowledge to the next States as we believe that when we work together we can achieve so much more. However, we need our next cohort of deputies to tackle these issues head-on and ask candidates – please don’t ignore the challenges, be the Deputy who delivers results.’ 

The report contains seven calls to action: 

Behaviours 

The behaviours and attributes of our Deputies will define the next States. It is imperative that our future politicians embody the highest standards of integrity and accountability – the bedrock of trust and transparency. In today’s challenging and fast-moving world, efficient and decisive decision-making is crucial. Our leaders must be able to act swiftly and effectively, addressing challenges head-on with clarity and purpose.  

 The government must be technology-enabled and innovative, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. 

 We need positive and proud advocates who champion our island, and finally, we need leaders who are forward-thinking and visionary. Our Deputies must be capable of thinking long term, preparing for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.  

 These attributes are the critical foundations of effective government, and we ask all candidates carefully consider their words and actions. 

1. Housing & Cost of Living  

Guernsey needs more diverse, affordable and high-standard housing options to meet the needs of our whole community and support economic growth. We propose appointing a dedicated Housing Champion to improve accountability and drive cross-committee cooperation. 

We ask for consideration of whether the DPA should be comprised solely of non-political members, given the structure of the decisions being made, and that any new Housing Committee include a mix of political and non-political representatives to bring both expertise and community insight. 

Deputies must focus on implementing the Housing Plan without delay – no more reviews, it’s time toaccelerate action and ensure accountability.  

By December 2025:  

  • Appoint a Housing Delivery Champion to coordinate cross-committee dialogue and  implementation and publicly report progress quarterly highlighting opportunities and threats to delivery
  • Review structure of the DPA and establish a Housing Committee 
  • Begin visible delivery of the Housing Plan – end delays, publish a schedule and track progress publicly via six-monthly updates. 

2. Connectivity, Tourism & Transport Links

Our island deserves optimal, future-proofed air and sea connectivity and a thriving tourism economy. To secure Guernsey’s future, we must see decisive action from the next States of Guernsey, grounded in an air policy framework that protects and improves our connectivity to ensure reliable and affordable air services that meet the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors. As a priority, the air policy must be reviewed and adopted by June 2026 to deliver the clarity and direction our community and economy urgently need. 

Tourism is vital to our economy, and it’s time for a bold, proactive approach, considering initiatives that will enable investment in marketing, tourism infrastructure, and the visitor experience.  

By the end of 2025:

  • Launch a review of Guernsey’s Air Policy Framework, with a new strategy adoptedby mid-2026. 

3. Public spending   

Our future Deputies must prioritise effective public spending to maximise impact and investment returns for our island. It is crucial to balance prudence with the overwhelming need for investment.  

We call for fiscal balance – increasing revenue, targeted spending, a significant increase in infrastructure investment and the growth of reserves over time without resorting to emergency measures or accumulating unsustainable debt. 

 Chronic underinvestment in Guernsey’s public infrastructure is increasingly constraining growth, environmental sustainability, and reducing living standards. Our government must invest wisely in our future to ensure a prosperous and sustainable Guernsey.  To do so, it must also build trust with the community by demonstrating that when revenue is raised, it will be spent responsibly, transparently, and for the greatest long-term benefit of our community. 

4. Education & Skills Gap  

Business leaders want to employ home-grown talent, as well as the attracting skilled professionals needed to grow and prosper. The launch of the Skills for Guernsey Agency will help deliver this, but it must be supported by practical policies that also prioritise housing and connectivity to retain talent. 

Equally important is investment in teachers, the improvement of attainment in Maths and English, and consideration of the skills required for participation in local industries. We ask Deputies to look ahead, plan for the long term, and future-proof the next-generation workforce while swiftly increasing workforce participation to improve productivity.  

 By the end of 2026:

  • Launch a Skills for Guernsey Agency co-designed with business, targeting core literacy, numeracy, digital, and industry-specific competencies.
  • Implement actions set out in Participation in work report Participation_in_Work_-_Findings_Report.pdf 

5. Government Delivery 

Guernsey’s future success will be determined by a shared government vision and determination to drive cohesive action, with collaborative and efficient working between Deputies, Committees and our civil service.  

Our island requires robust long-term strategic planning, a holistic approach to policymaking, and strong political leadership to ensure sustained development and stability. 

We encourage the next Assembly to streamline bureaucracy and empower decision-makers, creating a more agile, responsive government. 

Our politicians must back ‘Brand Guernsey’; with positivity and pride; we ask for a bold, forward-thinking government that makes decisions for the greater good of the island. 

By January 2026:  

  • Deputies to agree a Shared Strategic Vision (2025–2029) to align priorities across committees. 
  • Throughout term: Prioritise process reform – simplify approvals, reduce red tape, and empower civil service delivery via digital tools and training.

 6. Tax & Economic Development 

While there are diverse views on tax reform, there is broad agreement that Guernsey faces a structural deficit and that change is urgently needed. A balanced approach to taxation and spending is essential to maintain trust and support sustainable growth. 

We support diversification of the tax base away from over-reliance on income tax. It is important that Deputies recognise there is no silver bullet; the fiscal challenge is complex and significant. 

The challenges faced cannot be done without substantive cost savings (and the corresponding reduction in services) or substantive tax increases or a combination of slightly less substantive changes (but still significant given the fiscal challenge). 

Any Deputy standing on the rescinding of GST must demonstrate how they will, through alternative means, raise the revenues needed or cost savings they would propose (in detail) to remain credible. 

We encourage candidates to clearly articulate how they would raise necessary revenue or achieve cost savings in a credible and sustainable way.  

By December 2026:

  • The assembly must have a clearly defined plan for dealing with the structural deficit within the Guernsey budget that increases the Guernsey tax base and does not damage Guernsey business interest.