The BBC has launched a consultation on free licence fees for older people in Guernsey and Jersey, which will run until 10 September.

The BBC Board decided from 1 August 2020 any UK household with someone aged over 75 who receives pension credit will be entitled to afree TV licence paid for by the BBC.

This followed the UK government's withdrawal of funding for the scheme in 2015 and Parliament putting the decision in the BBC Board's hands in 2017.

The BBC said it had a responsibility to determine whether a concession for older people should be extended to Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, following requests from the government of each Crown Dependency.

Each government will be able to offer further concessions via its own benefits system if they choose to, the BBC said.

The corporation added its current view is to fund a similar concession for older people in the islands as the UK, based on local income criteria where possible.

The 2020 Muratti Vase tournament - between Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney - is cancelled because of coronavirus.

The organisers of the Guernsey Battle of Britain air display have confirmed the event will be taking place as planned on 10 September.

The Red Arrows and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight with the Dakota and two Spitfires have also confirmed their participation this week.

Organisers said they have been monitoring the local situation and working with the States of Guernsey and Public Health so it can be staged within the current border controls.

This year's event will be "even more significant than usual" as it marks the 80th anniversary of the aerial battle, as well as serving as a celebration of Guernsey’s return to "normal island life", they added.

Event director Barry Neal confirmed they will need to change how the event is organised as the aircraft are just flying in for the display and there was a "lot of work to do" over the next six weeks.

He said: "We are so delighted that we can confirm the air display will take place, it’s all starting to come together."

BBC Radio Guernsey

A review by Guernsey's Scrutiny Committee has found the island has lost out on economic growth due to a lack in spending by the States.

The review looked into the process of allocating money to States Committees for capital projects.

The head of Scrutiny, Deputy Chris Green, said one of the clear conclusions is that the process is too slow.

He said: "In the last eight years within the States there has been very little by way of capital spending so one of our recommendations is that the whole process needs to be sped up significantly.

"If it's not, then the whole 'Revive and Thrive' strategy, external will potentially be undermined by the capital process that exists."

The strategy, which is designed to help Guernsey recover from the coronavirus pandemic, includes infrastructure investment, examining work permits and travel links and a review of taxes and public service provision.

The Policy and Resources Committee, which oversees States expenditure, declined to comment on the findings.

BBC Radio Guernsey

The cost of a major revamp of the Grande Mare Hotel on Guernsey's West Coast is yet to be disclosed.

Plans have been unveiled to completely redevelop the site as well as the golf course.

The changes would include moving accommodation from the main hotel to lodges around the site, as well as a newly built health and fitness facility hosting a half-size Olympic pool.

While he would not be drawn on the cost of the project, developer Stephen Lansdown said money for the privately-funded project had already been earmarked.

Rebecca Thorn
BBC News

Applications for the second phase of Guernsey's payroll co-funding scheme can be made from 1 August.

Businesses that have experienced a "significant drop" in turnover because of the coronavirus pandemic can apply for between 80 and 100% of the minimum wage for their employees.

Sectors that are eligible for the second phase of the scheme include:

• Retail outlets (excluding essential retail outlets)
• Restaurants and other food and drink businesses (excluding takeaways)
• Event companies such as those working in corporate events or weddings
• Travel agents and tour operators
• Arts, entertainment and recreation which act as tourist activities
• Visitor accommodation
• Taxi sector

Businesses with a turnover of more than 40% and up to 70% of normal levels will be able to apply for 80% of the minimum wage, but will be required to contribute the remaining 20%.

Those that have seen their turnover reduce to below 40% of normal levels will be able to apply for 100% of their employees' minimum wage.

The scheme will run from 1 July to 30 September, ahead of a grant scheme that will aim to support tourist accommodation businesses from 1 October.

Applications for the payroll scheme can be made on the States of Guernsey website., external

BBC Radio Guernsey

Four more flights have been added to schedule of airline Aurigny, following an increase in demand from Isle of Man residents to visit the Bailiwick of Guernsey, airline bosses say.

An air bridge between the two Crown dependencies first took off last week, but had already seen a boost in the amount of flights taking place because of high interest, they said.

All four flights will be between 21 and 23 August, the airline said.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Two women were assaulted in town on Tuesday night, police have said.

Guernsey Police said they were investigating the assaults which took place at the bus terminus and Market Square between 22:30 and 23:00.

Officers said they were particularly keen to speak with a member of the public who may live near the terminus who was believed to have witnessed the incident.

Guernsey Electricity has given unusable streetlights to be used as a home for a family of owls.

The three boxes now form a "neighbourhood in the sky" for the four owlets and their parents, who were originally living in an old owl box in a garden.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Alderney's civil service has been bolstered by the addition of Guernsey's chief secretary of Home Affairs.

A number of senior staff have retired or relocated, and, combined with Brexit and the pandemic, it had created considerable pressure, staff said.

But it was hoped Adrian Lewis's recruitment would relieve some of that stress, bosses said.

He was to provide additional executive support for the service on an interim basis, they added.

BBC Radio Guernsey

The president of Guernsey's Home Affairs Committee says it is important to remember that, for law enforcement, the island is still in a state of emergency.

It follows a public scrutiny hearing on Tuesday examining how Guernsey's government has been handling the coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent lockdown.

Representatives from the Health & Social Care, Home Affairs and Education, Sport & Culture committees were all questioned.

Home Affairs head Deputy Mary Lowe said law enforcement still had a major job to do.

Two men from England who breached self-isolation rules after arriving in Guernsey to work in hospitality were fined earlier this week for failing to comply with requirements.

HM Sheriff confirmed one of the two was serving a prison sentence.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Blue Islands has announced the restart of its inter-island service between Guernsey and Jersey - but only for business travel.

The day return-only flights, from 6 August, would serve islanders who were travelling under the recently launched Business Tunnels initiative, external.

Bosses said travellers would have to notify the States of Guernsey at least seven days prior to the journey using a form. A pre-departure registration must then be completed before arrival in Jersey.

Blue Islands boss Rob Veron said the step was a "small" one towards resuming a regular schedule.

He also reiterated a commitment that normal operations could be resumed from September - if Guernsey's government allowed.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Work is needed to look at the "inequality gap" for Guernsey students working at home learning during lockdown, according to the President of the Scrutiny Management Committee.

The latest Scrutiny public hearing considered the performance of the Committee for Education Sport and Culture (ESC) throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Deputy Chris Green said "more analysis" needs to be done to ensure all students have access to the appropriate technology and how it can be used to address the difference between wealthier and poorer students.

He said: "We spoke quite a lot about the need for social policy to focus on that inequality and how that affects outcomes in education."

ESC President Matt Fallaize said the distance learning programme was designed to overcome issues of inequality, but they would welcome "more data and better data" to measure it.

"If through the advice of schools we identified the gap has widened during distancing learning, then we need to be ready to take action," he said.

Deputy Fallaize added this could involve additional investment next year and the States needed "to be ready to provide that".

Andrew Segal
BBC South West

A recent network problem which affected internet and phone coverage in Jersey and Guernsey is being described by provider JT as the worst in its 132-year history.

The power cut on 12 July left thousands of islanders without internet access. It also meant landline customers were unable to call 999.

The company said its equipment supplier, Cisco, had also never encountered anything similar before, but was also keen to point out that 999 calls made from any mobile device throughout the power cut worked as normal.

It said a faulty piece of hardware which sent the wrong date to some the company's computer equipment caused the outage, and that it had taken steps to make sure such a kind of problem could not happen again.

A review from the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority (JCRA), as well as an internal review from former CFO John Kent, are under way to find out the exact cause of the problem.

The JCRA said it would spend about two to four weeks looking into what happened.

Guernsey Press

More permanent job losses are expected in Guernsey as a result of Covid-19 despite recent indication that unemployment has fallen from its peak, Deputy Gavin St Pier says, external.

Guernsey Press

While Guernsey’s borders remain closed, those taking the opportunity to island-hop may have seen an abundance of dolphins in local waters recently, external.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Guernsey's Heather Watson has won her opening Battle of The Brits game at the Indoor Tennis Centre in the UK.

She triumphed over Beth Grey in straight sets.

The event has been organised by Jamie Murray to provide competitive action for British players while the professional tours remain suspended because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking post-match, Watson said it felt strange playing competitively again but she would take positives away from the result.

Image source, PA Media

Simon Fairclough
BBC Guernsey political reporter

Two States of Guernsey committees are being questioned on Tuesday on their responses to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Scrutiny Management Committee is holding a public hearing with the Committee for Home Affairs and the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture.

The event forms part of the committee’s public hearings on the subject of coronavirus response.

Panel chairman Deputy Chris Green said the focus would be on the issues that arose and any lessons learnt.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the event, which takes place in the Cambridge & Delancey Rooms at Beau Sejour between 14:00 and 17:30.

BBC Radio Guernsey

The Guernsey Disability Alliance is throwing a party on Tuesday evening to celebrate the passing of discrimination legislation by the States of Guernsey.

The law will ban discrimination based on race, disability and sexuality, after members unanimously approved a policy letter on 17 July.

Celebrations will begin at 18:00 BST at Les Cotils with members, families, and deputies all welcome, organisers said.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Guernsey's Convenor for the Royal College of Nursing is hoping the pandemic could bolster healthcare workers' push for a payrise.

In March, the States made the decision to postpone pay negotiations for its staff and implement last year's offer temporarily, following an ongoing dispute.

Kenny Lloyd said there had previously been "some constructive talks" between the government and the unions.

"I would be hopeful that the States of Guernsey, as with all jurisdictions round the world, will have discovered a new recognition of the importance of health services," he said.