Controlling spending is a top priority

That is the view of the new chairman of the Public Sector Remuneration Committee amid concerns about government spending.

Deputy Jonathon Le Tocq said the island needed to save more and some difficult changes would have to be made.

He said that controlling spending would be his top priority as part of his plan to win back public confidence.

Mr Le Tocq likened his job to a slightly poisoned chalice and said he had thought hard about accepting the chairman's position.

He added: "But being the minister of a church, I'm aware that Jesus said his followers could drink deadly poison and it wouldn't harm them.