Voice of Guernsey Business
Guernsey’s business and third-sector associations have launched the Voice of Guernsey Business Insight Report 2025, setting 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.

- 80% of respondents agree that housing impacts their ability to attract and/or retain talent.
- 65% of respondents agree that air or sea services have negatively impacted their organisation’s prosperity
- 61% believe that investment in education should be spent on human capital.
- 65.7% of respondents supported tax incentives as a method of helping businesses on the island,
The findings are drawn from a survey of nearly 400 respondents across 20 sectors and organisations of all sizes, making it one of the most comprehensive insights into the opinions businesses and charities to date.

While significant challenges persist, including housing, transport connectivity, education and economic growth, there is also hope. The new government must prioritise collaboration, decisive leadership, and a long-term agenda for change. Without this, Guernsey risks stagnation for another four years. With collaborative leadership, efficient decision-making, and targeted policy action, Guernsey can unlock sustainable economic growth and strengthen its position as a vibrant place to live, work and do business.

This report presents key insights from 386 respondents representing a wide range of industries and business sizes.
Key findings include:
- Housing affordability and availability remain the single greatest barrier to attracting and retaining talent. This is having a direct impact on businesses’ ability to grow and prosper.
- Transport and connectivity issues undermine business operations, tourism and economic growth.
- Without immediate investment in education and alleviating cost of living pressures for the younger generation, skills shortages and an ageing workforce pose long-term risks for the island.
- Government inefficiency and slow decision making are seen as major obstacles to progress.
- Concerns around taxation and public spending highlight the need for a balanced approach.
Despite these challenges, businesses are optimistic that targeted reforms can release significant economic potential.


Our Collective Call For Change
The message from our business community and charity sector is clear: we face significant hurdles that demand real action, not just election promises.
We need our next cohort of Deputies to tackle these issues head-on. Don’t ignore the challenges, be the Deputy who delivers results.
Working Together
In a consensus and committee-based system like ours, progress depends on collaboration. Our system relies on Deputies who work constructively, respect differing perspectives, and build consensus to move forward. Consensus building and finding compromise takes effort, but it is how we create policies that are widely supported and deliver lasting results. For meaningful change, we need people who are committed to respectful, constructive dialogue and shared purpose
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.
Don’t Let Housing Hold Us Back!
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 to accelerate action and ensure accountability.
Be the Deputy Who Builds Solutions
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.
Don’t Let Connectivity Ground Our Economy!
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.
Be the Deputy Who Connects Us
By December 2025:
- Launch a review of Guernsey’s Air Policy Framework, with a new strategy adopted by mid-2026.
Don’t Let Inefficiency Cost Us Dearly!
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.
Be the Deputy Who Invests In The Right Places.
Don’t Let Education Be an Afterthought!
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.
Be the Deputy Who Builds A Future Workforce.
By December 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
Don’t Let Bureaucracy Block Progress!
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.
Be the Deputy Who Drives Guernsey’s Future Economy.
By December 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.
Don’t Let Doubt Stifle Progress!
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).
Be the Deputy Who Drives Through Tax Reform.
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.

Stephen Rouxel
President, Chamber of Commerce
Tax & Economic Development
Don’t let doubt stifle progress!
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.

Wayne Bulpitt
Chair, Association of Guernsey Charities,
It’s how you work with others to get things done.
In a consensus and committee-based system like ours, progress depends on collaboration. For meaningful progress, we need people who are committed to respectful, constructive dialogue and shared purpose.

John Bampkin,
Chair of Guernsey Construction Forum
Education & Skills – The Foundation We Can’t Afford to Ignore
Business leaders are telling us they want to employ home-grown talent—but the local skills pipeline isn’t delivering.
Housing
Tax