In a stunning revelation that will shock absolutely no one, the treasury minister has confirmed that removing the goods and services tax (GST) from food would cost the states £14.4m a year - and mostly benefit the richest islanders, because they spend more on groceries.

Answering a written question from Deputy Lee Carpenter, Senator Alan McLean explained that an assessment found households with the lowest income would save just 12% per year, while the highest-income households would save 28%. McLean reminded everyone that when GST was introduced, the states agreed to compensate islanders through improved tax allowances, income support payments, and a community costs bonus.

"Ministers maintain that a broad-based GST, accompanied with these support measures, is the most effective way to support people with the cost of GST on food," he said, presumably with a straight face.

Meanwhile, on Monday, people in Guernsey protested a proposed 3% GST, which is due to be debated this week and, if approved, introduced from 2028. Because nothing says "we care about the cost of living" like a tax that won't kick in for three years.