Bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for the Channel Islands

BBC Radio Guernsey

Consultants working on a review of air and sea infrastructure in Guernsey say it "seems to support a runway extension".

There have been calls for nearly a decade to extend Guernsey's runway to allow larger planes to land.

Deputy Charles Parkinson was updating States members on the work of his committee at the first States meeting in two months.

He told the Assembly that it was waiting to see the latest drafts of the report before making any announcements.

BBC Weather

Wednesday night will be dry with mostly clear skies. The breeze will continue to be a gentle easterly.

Minimum temperature: 11 to 14C (52 to 57F).

Thursday will be another dry day with plenty more sunshine. Feeling slightly warmer again, with gentle winds of variable direction.

Maximum temperature: 18 to 21C (64 to 70F).

Jersey:

Guernsey:

Jersey Evening Post

A mass immunisation programme which could protect more than 42,000 islanders from flu – including all schoolchildren and the elderly – is due to get under way., external

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey retailers say they want islanders to pay GST on more goods they buy online to encourage people to buy more in the island.

At the moment, the goods and services tax is only payable on imported goods worth more than £240.

In the States Assembly on Tuesday, Treasury Minister Susie Pinel said she intended to lower the £240 limit after pressure from retailers. However, she did not say how much it would be lowered.

The Chamber of Commerce has suggested it should be lowered to about £100 as that would give local retailers - who have to charge the 5% tax on most items they sell - to compete.

Anne King, from the Jersey Consumer Council, said it would not make any difference to the high street and would just annoy online shoppers.

BBC Radio Jersey

A Jersey board which sets States workers pay says nursing unions are being unfair with the way they are describing the latest pay offer.

Nursing staff have threatened industrial action after 95% of members of the Royal College of Nursing, Jersey Nursing Association and Royal College of Midwives said no to the deal.

Under the plans, the States of Jersey said nurses would see their pay increase by an average of 6.6% over two years, but the RCN said only a few of its members would benefit from the rise, and some would lose money.

Constable Richard Bucanan, who sits on the States of Jersey Employment Board, said they were not being entirely candid when talking about inflation because the offer was based on the 3.1% in 2017 not the 4.5% in 2018.

BBC Radio Jersey

There is a "massive skills shortage" in Jersey's motor trade industry and not enough mechanics to administer MoT style tests according to the island's Motor Traders Federation.

Jersey's Infrastructure Minister, Deputy Kevin Lewis, announced the introduction of MoT style tests for all island vehicles by 2021 - if the States approve.

He hasn't revealed the exact details of how the scheme will work but said it was in part to allow Jersey vehicles to travel to the EU in the event of a no deal Brexit.

Andrew Ruellan, from the Motor Traders Federation, said he is meeting with representatives from the States to discuss how it could be made to work but said it would be "very difficult" if the States don't create their own test facilities.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Alderney has become a "household name" for birdwatchers according to the warden of the island's bird observatory.

John Horton said the island plays a key role as a waypoint for migrating birds.

He said during the spring and autumn migration thousands and thousands of birds fly via the island.

Mr Horton said experts recorded about 3,500 swallows flying through Alderney on Tuesday alone on their way south to Africa.

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey's environment minister says drivers should turn off their car engines when not moving in the St Helier tunnel to reduce the pollution levels.

Recent test show the air quality at peaks times is poor, but officials said it was still safe for people walking or cycling to use.

Deputy John Young said drivers and pedestrians could do their bit to limit their exposure to the pollution.

He said this included closing their windows, using alternative routes, and spending less time in the tunnel.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Guernsey's Health and Social Care Department could be forced to fund all drugs and treatments approved by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, external (NICE) if a proposal by a Guernsey deputy is approved.

Currently Guernsey only pays for selected treatments, but Deputy Peter Roffey wants the island to fund anything offered on the NHS for island patients.

The Health Department said a review of all drugs and treatments would be carried out as part of the Partnership of Purpose, external changes.

However, Deputy Roffey said that was good enough, adding that it was "it's completely unfair" that people from Guernsey receiving treatment in centres in places such as Southampton did not receive the same treatment as those from Jersey or the UK.

Jersey pays for its citizens to have the treatment at the UK hospital.

The Health Department said: "Not all NICE approved drugs are available across the NHS as individual trusts make that decision."

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport

Guernsey FC's poor midweek away form continued as they were beaten 3-0 at East Grinstead Town in Isthmian League Division One South East.

After a goalless first half George Landais put the hosts ahead on 54 minutes and doubled the tally three minutes later.

East Grinstead wrapped up the win with two minutes to go as Mitchell Chapman pounced on a defensive error.

Guernsey drop below East Grinstead in the table - the Green Lions are 16th with six points after two wins from their opening seven games of the season.

Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online

The average life expectancy in Jersey has gone up by 12 years since 1960, with the average being 79 years old, the States has revealed.

Image source, States of Jersey

The Mortality Statistics report published by the States of Jersey showed there were 810 deaths in the island in 2017 including 420 men and 380 women.

This was slightly lower than the 830 deaths in 2016.

Women still live longer than men. The average life expectancy for women is 82 years and for men it is 77 years. In 1960 women lived to 72 on average and men lived to 62.

Cancer was the largest cause of death in 2017 with 30% of all deaths linked to it, closely followed by circulatory disorders at 27%.

Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online

Security at Jersey's airport and harbours will be run "in house" from January after the contract with G4S expires, Ports of Jersey say.

The government-owned company responsible for the airport and harbour in Jersey said staff will be offered the chance to continue in the same role but working for Ports of Jersey instead of G4S.

It said the decision to bring security in house was taken after a review into existing security arrangements. It decided bringing it in house would give Ports of Jersey "greater control over its arrangements".

G4S has been responsible for security at the airport and harbours for 18 years and the current contract was due to expire at the end of 2018. A Jersey Airport spokesman thanked G4S for its "support and commitment to security operations".

BBC Radio Jersey

Plans to make Jersey people pay GST on more things they buy online have been dismissed as "simply irritating" by the Jersey Consumer Council.

Island shops have lobbied the treasury minister to change the rules about how much a parcel has to be worth before the 5% GST is chargeable.

At the moment it has to cost at least £240 before it is taxable.

Treasury Minister, Deputy Suzie Pinel, told the States she was intending to lower that in her 2019 budget although she didn't say by how much.

Anne King, from the council, said it won't make any difference to shops in the island - it would just cost island shoppers more money.

Bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for the Channel Islands

Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online

New speed limits are being introduced in parts of St Helier and Grouville after calls for the change at parish assemblies.

Infrastructure Minister, Deputy Kevin Lewis, has approved the changes that were recommended after a review of speed limits in 2017.

There will be a further review of speed limits in 2019 with "the aim of improving road safety" and ensuring there are consistent limits across all parishes.

Image source, States of Jersey

The changes are likely to come into force from early 2019 once the law has been amended and road signs changed.

• All roads within St Helier ring road - 20mph down from 30mph
• Roads in the Havre des Pas area - 20mph down from 30mph
• Gorey Village - 20mph down from 30mph
• Grouville Coast Road - 30mph down from 40mph

Jersey Evening Post

Cyclists and pedestrians are being urged to ‘minimise’ the time they spend in the Tunnel and motorists advised to close their windows while driving through it due to poor air quality., external

BBC Radio Guernsey

Mobile phone use in schools, updates on Brexit and planning applications are all on the agenda for the first Guernsey States meeting in more than two months.

There will be four sets of questions asked including one on the recent large fire in Bulwer Avenue and another on international public sector accounting standards.

President of Policy and Resources, Deputy Gavin St Pier, will also share the latest Brexit developments from the islands' perspective.

The States meeting is due to start at 09:30 and is available on the BBC News website.

Alex Osborne
BBC Weather

It will be dry and mostly sunny first thing.

This afternoon will stay dry with plenty more sunshine and it will feel a touch warmer than Tuesday with gentle easterly breezes.

Maximum temperature: 16 to 19C (61 to 66F).