The Weekly Briefing from The Quarry

Dig Deeper

• 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...

• 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

• 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'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 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

• 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

• 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 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

• 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

• 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

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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.

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.

Travel eSIM providers are now exempt from needing a telecommunications licence in Guernsey.

Proposed changes to parking arrangements in St Peter Port and Forest areas are under public consultation until 12th August 2026.

GFSC notices

Phishing Attempt

Digital Finance – Commission takes steps to simplify regulation, provide regulatory clarity and support growth in digital finance