> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thequarry.media/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The Weekly Briefing from The Quarry - URL: https://www.thequarry.media/the-weekly-briefing-from-the-quarry-57/ - Published: 2026-07-29T14:33:30.000Z - Updated: 2026-07-29T14:33:30.000Z - Author: Nick Mann - Tags: The Briefing ## Dig Deeper ### [Why it feels expensive to live in Guernsey: households face growing real income decline and erosion of purchasing power, survey reveals](https://www.thequarry.media/why-it-feels-expensive-to-live-in-guernsey-households-face-growing-real-income-decline-and-erosion-of-purchasing-power-survey-reveals/) Published 27 July 2026 - Mean household income fell 12% in real terms to £77,619 per year despite 12% nominal increase since 2018-2019, with expenditure down 6% in real terms to £67,411 annually - Private market renters saw housing costs rise to 26% of gross income from 22%, whilst affordable market renters face highest burden at 33%, unchanged from previous survey - Single-parent households spend 33% of income on housing and have total expenditure of £49,026 against gross income of £43,918, with 24% reporting great difficulty making ends meet - Some 41% of households have no savings or less than one month's income saved, whilst 87% of online expenditure flows to suppliers outside the Bailiwick - People with disabilities saw shopping accessibility decline sharply, with 17% finding it very or quite inaccessible compared to 9% in 2018-2019, whilst private renters have notably worse home insulation at 86% coverage versus 97-98% for owner occupiers ## In other news... ### [Reports from the service supporting young people in the family justice system went unpublished from 2021, it masked recent staffing pressures](https://www.thequarry.media/reports-from-the-service-supporting-young-people-in-the-family-justice-system-went-unpublished-from-2021-it-masked-recent-staffing-pressures/) Published 29 July 2026 - Family Proceedings Advisory Service annual reports for 2022–2025 were not published, but have now been made available online - Reports were compiled and presented to Home Affairs but not uploaded to public website until issue was raised in FOI request - Three qualified Family Proceedings Advisers left the service in 2025 after zero departures in previous three years - Service received 10 complaints in 2022, seven in 2023, one in 2024 and seven in 2025, with no independent external ombudsman available - FPAS head said it faced considerable staffing pressures [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/48/0b/480bfed6-f3f7-4a48-9efe-fae23adf5d03/content/images/2026/07/guernsey-record-2-.png)](https://record.thequarry.media/?ref=thequarry.media) ### [Economic Development targets enhancing digital adoption in bid for up to £150m in additional growth](https://www.thequarry.media/economic-development-targets-enhancing-digital-adoption-in-bid-for-up-to-150m-in-additional-growth/) Published 29 July 2026 - Guernsey's Economic Development has published a 2026-2029 workplan which targets up to £150 million per year in additional economic growth through enhanced digital adoption - The strategy addresses what officials describe as "stagnating economic growth" and "declining competitiveness" amid challenges including tax reform, infrastructure investment and public finance pressures - Eight strategic priorities include connectivity, tourism, finance sector growth, trade relationships, digital and AI innovation, regulation, economic infrastructure and a new Economic Development Strategy - The island recorded a 69% increase in visitors from France in 2025, 55 successful relocations through Locate Guernsey, and connected 70% of premises to fibre broadband - A Finance Sector Growth Strategy developed with Oliver Wyman will provide "Guernsey's first unified roadmap for financial services growth to 2035" ### [Guernsey inflation rises to 4.3% as fuel and housing costs drive price increases](https://www.thequarry.media/guernsey-inflation-rises-to-4-3-as-fuel-and-housing-costs-drive-price-increases/) Published 29 July 2026 - Guernsey's inflation rate rose to 4.3% for the year ending June 2026, up from 3.9% in June 2025, reversing the downward trend since the December 2022 peak of 8.5% - Fuel and light costs were the largest contributor, rising 19.0% annually driven by kerosene prices, adding 1.0 percentage point to overall inflation - Housing costs contributed 0.9 percentage points to annual inflation with a 4.9% increase, driven by mortgage interest payments and home insurance premiums - Retired households experienced the highest inflation impact at 5.2%, whilst mortgage holders and high income households saw the lowest at 4.0% - The cumulative effect since June 2021 means £100 then is now worth approximately £131, representing a reflation factor of 1.31 ### [Autism Guernsey launches AG Night Ride 2026 and calls on islanders to get involved](https://www.thequarry.media/autism-guernsey-launches-ag-night-ride-2026-and-calls-on-islanders-to-get-involved/) Published 29 July 2026 - Autism Guernsey launches AG Night Ride 2026 on Saturday 26 September from L'Ancresse Golf Club at 5pm - Three route options available: 10 miles, 25 miles and 50 miles to suit all abilities - Event sponsored by Northern Trust Guernsey Charitable Trust and BDO - Funds will support Autism Guernsey's services, which cost more than £400,000 annually to run - Registration now open at agnightride.org.gg for families, casual riders and experienced cyclists ### [Dementia friendly music festival returns to Saumarez Park for fourth year](https://www.thequarry.media/dementia-friendly-music-festival-returns-to-saumarez-park-for-fourth-year/) Published 29 July 2026 - Fourth annual dementia friendly music festival to take place at Saumarez Park on 5th September 2026 - Event features relaxed performances from four musical groups in National Trust Folk and Costume Courtyard - Festival designed with modifications including reduced volume and freedom for audience to come and go - Tickets essential due to limited capacity, with all events provided free of charge through donations - Dementia Friendly Guernsey organises event to provide safe, enjoyable space for people with dementia and carers ### [Young people invited to showcase creativity in Rotary competitions](https://www.thequarry.media/young-people-invited-to-showcase-creativity-in-rotary-competitions/) Published 27 July 2026 - Rotary Club of Guernsey launches Young Artist and Young Photographer competitions for under-18s - Competitions based on 2026-27 theme of 'Friendship', open to all aged 17 or under on 31 August 2026 - Three age categories: junior (up to 10), intermediate (11-13) and senior (14-17) - All entries to be displayed at George Crossan Studio from 1 October to 10 November 2026 - Winners receive experience prizes and progress to district and national finals; closing date 1 September 2026 ### [Guernsey opens digital finance services to retail customers in major regulatory shift](https://www.thequarry.media/guernsey-opens-digital-finance-services-to-retail-customers-in-major-regulatory-shift/) Published 27 July 2026 - Guernsey Financial Services Commission removes retail customer restrictions, allowing licensed firms to offer digital asset services to retail investors for the first time - Dual licensing requirement eliminated for existing PoI and Insurance licensees, significantly reducing regulatory burden for firms expanding into virtual assets - Collective investment schemes permitted to use public blockchains for unitholder registers, effective immediately, reversing previous private blockchain requirement - Insurance firms can accept premiums and pay claims in stablecoins or cryptocurrency without VASP licence, subject to AML safeguards - Banking capital treatment aligned with Basel Committee framework, with soundly backed stablecoins potentially qualifying as high quality liquid assets ### [Free health checks detect previously unnoticed high blood pressure and cholesterol](https://www.thequarry.media/free-health-checks-detect-previously-unnoticed-high-blood-pressure-and-cholesterol/) Published 27 July 2026 - 265 islanders attended free cardiovascular health checks during a four-month pilot project from September to December 2025 - 25 per cent were found to have high blood pressure and 40 per cent had high cholesterol, with many previously undiagnosed - The pilot successfully reached people less likely to access regular healthcare, with highest attendance in community and workplace settings - Up to 24 people may now be receiving treatment following the checks, and 51 per cent of those followed up made lifestyle changes - An expanded ABCD programme is now being rolled out to check for atrial fibrillation, blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes ### [Guernsey to introduce applicant-pays system for temporary traffic management costs](https://www.thequarry.media/guernsey-to-introduce-applicant-pays-system-for-temporary-traffic-management-costs/) Published 27 July 2026 - From 14 September, applicants requiring temporary traffic management on Guernsey's public highways will pay fees covering processing, coordination, signage and checking costs - Charges will apply to utilities, individuals, organisations and States of Guernsey work, with amounts based on duration, signage needed, location and whether bus routes are affected - The system aims to recover costs more fairly from those who benefit, rather than from general States funding, bringing Guernsey in line with other jurisdictions - Linking charges to duration is expected to encourage efficient planning and coordination, reducing unnecessary disruption for road users - A new digital application system will launch alongside the charging system to simplify the process for applicants and officers ## This week's audio briefing The Weekly Briefing from The Quarry 0:00 /0 1× ## Guernsey Gazette [A blue double horse trailer abandoned at Les Blanches Vinery Cottage in St Martin's must be removed by August 5th or it will be disposed of.](https://gazette.guernseypress.com/notices/9032?ref=thequarry.media) [An abandoned Vauxhall Combo panel van at Les Blanches Vinery Cottage in St Martin's must be removed by August 5th or it will be disposed of.](https://gazette.guernseypress.com/notices/9031?ref=thequarry.media) [Travel eSIM providers are now exempt from needing a telecommunications licence in Guernsey.](https://gazette.guernseypress.com/notices/9034?ref=thequarry.media) [Proposed changes to parking arrangements in St Peter Port and Forest areas are under public consultation until 12th August 2026.](https://gazette.guernseypress.com/notices/9037?ref=thequarry.media) ## GFSC notices [Phishing Attempt](https://www.gfsc.gg/news/phishing-attempt-3?ref=thequarry.media) [Digital Finance – Commission takes steps to simplify regulation, provide regulatory clarity and support growth in digital finance](https://www.gfsc.gg/news/digital-finance-commission-takes-steps-simplify-regulation-provide-regulatory-clarity-and-0?ref=thequarry.media) --- ### Games by The Quarry Try our weekly cryptic crossword and other puzzles. 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