Latest news with #ProjectBreakwater
ITV News
4 days ago
- Business
- ITV News
Minister lays out £350 million plan to fund Jersey's health and infrastructure needs over five years
A Jersey Government minister has revealed proposals to invest £350 million across the health service and infrastructure developments. Talking exclusively to ITV News, Deputy Tom Binet says Project Breakwater is a five-year plan to tackle "critical" shortfalls in funding, with £220 million allocated for infrastructure needs such as the regeneration of Fort Regent and the town centre market, and a long-term commitment to European flights. The remaining £130 million will go towards overhauling the health service's digital systems and measures to prevent illness. Ideas for where to get the money from will appear in the Budget later this year but could include borrowing, dipping into savings and new medical charges. Speaking about the issues across infrastructure and health, Deputy Binet says: "Both of these areas have been badly underinvested in over the last ten years. "I'm very determined that we press for this money and commit to it properly. "Some of it might have to come from savings ... we do have a strategic reserve which we may or may not look at borrowing against. There are a number of different options." Highlighting the importance of increased funding, Deputy Binet adds: "It's critical. If we don't, we're just building up a lot of trouble for the future. We've identified, particularly in health, what needs to be done and have a very clear vision to make it right. "I think the savings are being delivered as aggressively as we possibly can; there's only so much you can do in terms of cuts against a background of making sure patient safety isn't compromised." He acknowledges the plans may have to be flexible, perhaps cutting out the "nice to haves" to reduce the overall cost slightly or extending the five-year funding period. US President Donald Trump has already put a dampener on the Government's previous hope to raise £52 million a year from taxing the biggest multinational companies at 15%, by seeking to exempt American businesses. Deputy Binet has also faced tough conversations with the Council of Ministers. He explains: "It's not all easy going because every department wants money but I made the point that it's not my health service, it's the island's. "I'd just ask everybody in the Assembly what type of system they want for their own family. "People need some hope and that's what we're trying to produce."
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New ferry service might have bumpy start
Jersey's chief minister has warned islanders to expect the first weeks of the new ferry schedule to be a "little bumpy" as he defended his handling of the tender process. Deputy Lyndon Farnham said it would take DFDS "time to settle the timetables" and "learn how we like to operate". In an interview with the BBC to mark his first anniversary in the job, Farnham also said details of plans to fund projects such as the new hospital and the refurbishment of Fort Regent would be made public next month. He said the plans aimed to address a "dereliction of investment" over decades. The joint ferry tender process with Guernsey ended with the islands going their separate ways, as Jersey opted for Danish firm DFDS and Guernsey chose Brittany Ferries. Farnham said Condor had served the island for decades but it was time for a new start. "I think that short-term inconvenience will benefit us in the medium- to long-term," he said. "It is time for a change and it will be a little bumpy they always are when new ferry services come into play and it's going to take them time to settle the timetables down the fleet learn how we like to operate. "We have the lifeline freight services, that's not going to be done in five minutes... it will be a bit of a bumpy ride for a few months." When asked if the uncertainty caused by the ferry tender process had affected the optimism some people had for his government, Farnham said: "No, I don't think that at all. "I think some islanders might have been frustrated at the process but many, many islanders will understand that it's an important process." The chief minister defended his role in the process and disagreed he could have shown more leadership. Economic Development Minister Deputy Kirsten Morel also faced intense scrutiny. Farnham said: "I provided support as I do for all ministers and came forward and led with Deputy Morel as we got to the end of the process. "I might take more of a back seat in in in relation to putting myself in front of the camera because I'm too busy for that. "I would rather focus on getting things done than make videos of myself every five minutes." Speaking about the infrastructure plans, the chief minister said Project Breakwater would be led by Health Minister Tom Binet. He said the project included plans for a new hospital and the refurbishment of Fort Regent. However, there are no details on how the project will be funded. Farnham said costed plans would be revealed to the public in March and ministers including the treasury minister would be briefed shortly. "That's one of the mistakes we've made in the past, we've announced projects without having a way to pay for it and then they've tended to flounder," he said. "So when we do deliver it we are aiming to have a fully funded, fully detailed proposal." Farnham also praised his Council of Ministers' differences, suggesting their range of views were a strength rather than a weakness. "When we disagree, we debate more and that leads to better decision-making," he said. "All of the ministers, whatever their political views are mindful that we're all working for the best interests of islanders and not for our ourselves." Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Lyndon Farnham wins Chief Minister vote Jersey chief minister sits in the BBC hot seat Government of Jersey
BBC News
31-01-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Jersey chief minister warns of bumpy start to DFDS ferry service
Jersey's chief minister has warned islanders to expect the first weeks of the new ferry schedule to be a "little bumpy" as he defended his handling of the tender Lyndon Farnham said it would take DFDS "time to settle the timetables" and "learn how we like to operate". In an interview with the BBC to mark his first anniversary in the job, Farnham also said details of plans to fund projects such as the new hospital and the refurbishment of Fort Regent would be made public next said the plans aimed to address a "dereliction of investment" over decades. The joint ferry tender process with Guernsey ended with the islands going their separate ways, as Jersey opted for Danish firm DFDS and Guernsey chose Brittany said Condor had served the island for decades but it was time for a new start."I think that short-term inconvenience will benefit us in the medium- to long-term," he said."It is time for a change and it will be a little bumpy they always are when new ferry services come into play and it's going to take them time to settle the timetables down the fleet learn how we like to operate."We have the lifeline freight services, that's not going to be done in five minutes... it will be a bit of a bumpy ride for a few months." 'Important process' When asked if the uncertainty caused by the ferry tender process had affected the optimism some people had for his government, Farnham said: "No, I don't think that at all."I think some islanders might have been frustrated at the process but many, many islanders will understand that it's an important process." The chief minister defended his role in the process and disagreed he could have shown more Development Minister Deputy Kirsten Morel also faced intense said: "I provided support as I do for all ministers and came forward and led with Deputy Morel as we got to the end of the process."I might take more of a back seat in in in relation to putting myself in front of the camera because I'm too busy for that."I would rather focus on getting things done than make videos of myself every five minutes." Speaking about the infrastructure plans, the chief minister said Project Breakwater would be led by Health Minister Tom said the project included plans for a new hospital and the refurbishment of Fort there are no details on how the project will be said costed plans would be revealed to the public in March and ministers including the treasury minister would be briefed shortly."That's one of the mistakes we've made in the past, we've announced projects without having a way to pay for it and then they've tended to flounder," he said."So when we do deliver it we are aiming to have a fully funded, fully detailed proposal." Farnham also praised his Council of Ministers' differences, suggesting their range of views were a strength rather than a weakness."When we disagree, we debate more and that leads to better decision-making," he said."All of the ministers, whatever their political views are mindful that we're all working for the best interests of islanders and not for our ourselves."
