Vote leaves tax on milk and veg

The tax was brought in to make up for a shortfall in tax from finance firms

Jersey people will still have to pay a Goods and Services Tax (GST) on food after a knife-edge vote in the States following three days of debate.

States members had voted 25 in favour of Deputy Carolyn Labey's proposal to exempt basic food from the tax, with 25 voting against.

Rules for tied voting meant that the proposal automatically failed.

The amendment, which would have exempted vegetables and milk was made to help islanders with rising prices.

On Wednesday, a move to get all food, fuel, water, books, magazines and newspapers exempted from the GST was defeated by 17 votes to 28.

The States said the extra money would be used to help the less well off.

GST was introduced earlier this year because the government now receives less tax from the finance industry after introducing a zero-rate corporation tax.