Increase plans in alcohol duty have been described as unwarranted

The Jersey Hospitality Association and a group of brewers and nightclub owners have joined the protests about proposals to raise taxes.

The committee's president, Terry le Sueur, plans to raise tax on tobacco and alcohol, cap mortgage interest tax relief and charge tax to register a new car.

Senator le Sueur says the taxes are essential to stop the island's economy from going further into debt.

Duty rises

Estate agents, hire car companies, small businesses and several States members had already disputed the plans before the Hospitality Association joined their protests.

The association has described the taxes as "misguided" and harmful to the industry.

The Jersey Nightclubs' Association, Randalls and Ann Street Brewers, plus Jersey Pottery, have also attacked some of the budget measures, in particular the increase on alcohol and tobacco duty.

The Jersey Nightclubs' Association says the plans are "unwarranted and unbalanced".

Senator le Sueur maintains the higher taxes are essential to stop the economy going further into the red and to make sure the island can dig itself out of its current financial hole.

Despite efforts to tighten spending and a forecast that States spending will rise by only 1% next year, it is expected Jersey's government accounts will go into the red by �4m.

Plans are under way for a public demonstration in the Royal Square on Tuesday by those opposing the controversial budgets.