Minister defends housing licences

Deputy Jones said he does not foresee any changes

Guernsey's Housing Minister is defending the current housing licence system following calls for a review.

The Hunt report into the island's banking industry suggested the five-year licences, needed to work in the island, might need to change.

Deputy Dave Jones said his department was already on the case, but he did not foresee changes being necessary.

He said under the current system the industry had seen massive growth, with up to 600 people working on a licence.

That means about 90% of employees working in finance are local.

The Hunt report, commissioned by the Commerce and Employment Department, looked at how to ensure the industry continues to thrive in future.