Thu, 24 Jul 2025

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 How are islanders coping with the cost of living?

As prices continue to rise in the Channel Islands, we speak to people managing the cost of living.
Jersey and Guernsey inflation rates:
* Jersey: 2.6% inflation rate
* Guernsey: 3.9% inflation rate, higher than Jersey's Disparity between islands:
* Higher costs of rental properties in Guernsey contributing to disparity
* Economists agree that relocation grants have led to a steep increase in rental prices locally Rentals:
* Average local market rent in Guernsey: £2,068 per month
* Average price of a one-bedroom house in Jersey: £1,300 per month (stable for the last six months)
* Rents in Guernsey have increased by 51.7% over five years Food prices:
* Price of food has increased by 4.1% in Jersey between March and June
* Food prices have increased by 3.9% in Guernsey over the last three months Impact on families:
* Mothers in both Jersey and Guernsey struggling to support their families due to rising costs
* Families having to balance budgets, cutting back on luxuries to ensure essentials are covered Government responses:
* Jersey Minister for Social Security says the States is transitioning towards a living wage
* Help available through income support, with rates increasing by 4% this January
  >>