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At today’s sitting of the Legislative Council, the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2026, brought forward by the Chief Minister, was not passed.
Ministers today expressed disappointment that Elected Members did not pass the Income Tax Amendment Bill 2026, legislation that would have delivered the first uplift to the personal tax‑free allowance in 14 years.
Ministers recognise that many individuals and families across the island continue to face real financial pressures, particularly those on lower incomes who are most affected by rising living costs.
Ministers remain firmly committed to putting money back into people’s pockets and helping households manage the rising cost of living. The proposed amendment sought to provide immediate relief through an inflationary increase to the personal allowance, recognising the limited timeframe available for changes that must be in place for 1 April. Tax adjustments cannot be made mid‑year, and therefore the proposal represented the best possible route to offering short‑term support to the public.
At the meeting the Chief Minister highlighted that the window for implementing any changes to the tax system was exceptionally narrow. Despite these constraints, the proposal aimed to deliver a realistic and immediate benefit to taxpayers.
The Chief Minister spoke to the debate and said:
“This government wants to increase the personal allowance to £7,500. Believe me, when I say that I would have loved to be able to do that this year. But it was just not affordable. Over 20 different options were explored, but in reality, there was not enough time to be able to have a sufficiently robust assessment of the impacts of more complex options, like introducing a new tax band, or changing the higher rate of tax.”
Ministers acknowledge that there are differing views on how best to provide support and respects the role of Elected Members in this process. However, the outcome means that this opportunity to protect the real value of the tax-free allowance will not be realised this year.
Ministers remain focused on supporting residents and will continue seeking responsible and sustainable ways to ease financial pressures on households.
#StHelena #IncomeTaxAmendmentBill2026
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The Marine Section will be closed from 12:00 on Monday 23 March 2026 due to a scheduled power outage for work to be completed on the building.
Normal office hours will resume on Tuesday 24 March.
A Walk-Through History
For an island so small and remote, St Helena has played host to a remarkably large number of influential figures throughout its history. Some visitors are remembered for their positive contributions to the world, while others are perhaps more infamous than famous.
As part of the UK Government funded Tourism Development Programme, an interpretative art installation titled A Walk Through History has been installed to showcase some of the island’s notable visitors. The installation features an initial 28 plaques commemorating internationally significant figures who have visited St Helena since its discovery.
Set along one of Jamestown’s most historic areas, the walk presents St Helena’s rich and varied past in chronological order, allowing visitors to experience its story as they move through the space.
To complement the plaques, and to encourage a relaxing feel, the area has been beautified with trellised seating and planters.
Location and Site Description
The Castle Terrace wall in Jamestown has been identified as the ideal setting for the installation. This important heritage structure has been underutilised in recent years and, at times, affected by antisocial behaviour, particularly at night.
By introducing a prominent visitor attraction, the project aims to increase positive foot traffic and encourage greater use of the area. Enhanced lighting will further improve safety and security.
The Walk also strengthens links between key nearby attractions, improving access from the Wharf to Castle Gardens and surrounding businesses. The site is sheltered from extreme weather, pedestrian-friendly, and restricted to emergency and maintenance vehicles only.
Importantly, there are no entrance barriers, allowing both residents and visitors to enjoy the installation at any time.
The Dolphin Stone
Beautification efforts extend beyond the Terrace. Near the Castle arch lies the Dolphin Stone Garden, a small but historically significant space that is often over-looked.
Recent improvements have gently enhanced the garden, drawing attention to the remarkable story of the Dolphin Stone itself. At the centre is a stone inscribed in 1645 by the crew of the British ship Dolphin during their voyage to Europe. At that time, St Helena served as a mid-Atlantic crossroads for ships of all nations.
Long before the first official Post Office in 1815, this stone acted as a simple but effective postal exchange. Sailors would leave letters beneath it or at the island chapel, trusting that other vessels would collect and deliver them to their final destination.
To further highlight this unique feature, a discreet spotlight will be installed, allowing the historic inscription to be clearly seen and appreciate after dark.
While the garden is small, it is a meaningful place of connection that represents the island’s global maritime past. It enhancement reflects the importance of preserving St Helena’s heritage, ensuring that these stories are not lost over time. By continuing to care for and thoughtfully develop such sites, renewed awareness and appreciation of the island’s history can be fostered.
Repainting of the Church Lane Arch
The repainting of the Church Lane Arch forms part of ongoing efforts to enhance the visual character of Jamestown while celebrating its historic layout. Leading into Church Lane, a traditional rear access route behind St James’ Church, the arch marks an area that once played an important role in the town’s day-to-day life. Enhancements like this help present Jamestown as a place that values both its heritage and its appearance, creating a more inviting and visually appealing environment.
St Helena Tourism is confident that the community will take pride in and help protect these shared spaces for everyone to enjoy.
Photos
Newly installed benches and interpretative art installation at the Castle Terrace wall in Jamestown
The Dolphin Stone
#StHelena #AWalkThroughHistory #Installation
The public are advised that Safety Security & Home Affairs (SS&HA) Head Quarters at The Wharf, Jamestown will be closed on Monday 23 March 2026 from 12:00, to allow electrical works being carried out.
Normal business will resume on Tuesday 24 March from 08:30.
SS&HA staff would like to thank the public for their understanding and apologises for any inconvenience caused.
Reports have been received of rocks falling between Coal Yard and Needle’s Eye at the Jamestown Landing Steps. While the area remains accessible, swimmers are advised to enter the water at their own risk.
Safety Advice:
- Stay Vigilant: Please remain alert to your surroundings and watch for any further rock movement whilst in the area.
- Report Incidents: If you witness any further falls, please report them immediately to the Joint Emergency Services Control Centre (JESCC) by calling 22626 or 999.
A further assessment will be conducted next week.
HE Governor Nigel Phillips CBE has today announced, on behalf of Executive Council, an independent investigation into the causes of the St Helena Airport closure to commercial air services between 5 and 17 February 2026.
Intended to establish the root cause and learn lessons to prevent future recurrence, a selection exercise will be taken forward to identify a suitable, independent contractor to undertake the investigation. This will also determine the cost of the investigation. The contracting will be taken forward by St Helena Government.
The investigation will focus on understanding why all three fire tenders developed similar faults within a matter of weeks of each other. It is for investigators to decide who they wish to talk to and what they wish to examine but it is likely that they will want to review commissioning, usage, servicing and maintenance, consumables and other areas to build a comprehensive understanding.
It is important that we keep the scope proportionate and relevant, with a view to learning lessons before the delivery and commissioning of our new airport fire tenders, later in the year.
We are grateful to St Helena Airport Limited and other partners for their co-operation in this matter.
Once complete, we will consider the findings of the investigation before deciding if further work is necessary. A summary of the findings will be made public, ensuring transparency.
A further update will be issued once an investigator has been appointed and the timescales for reporting better understood.
Further to the previous public announcement regarding the lighting replacement works on Jacob’s Ladder, the project is now moving into its next stage. To safely accommodate the next phase of work, the entire length of Jacob’s Ladder will be closed from 20 March until further notice. Safety signage will be in place at all access points.
The public are kindly requested to follow all safety instructions and avoid entering any restricted areas.
The public are thanked for their cooperation.
SHG
18 March 2026
The MV Karoline is scheduled to arrive at James Bay on Thursday, 19 March at 18:00. Weather permitting, the vessel will berth alongside Rupert’s Jetty at first light on Friday 20 March.
During this time, Rupert’s Cargo Management Facility, the beach, the Jetty, and Rupert’s Bay will be placed under Access Level 3, meaning these areas will be restricted to authorised personnel only.
Access will remain restricted until all cargo operations are completed and the vessel has departed.
Once the vessel leaves, access will be reduced to Level 2, at which point only the Cargo Management Facility will remain restricted during normal working hours (08:00–17:00).
The beach, Jetty, and Rupert’s Bay will reopen to the public and may be accessed via the public walkway beginning at Liberation House or via the Ferry Service (charges apply).
After working hours, the Access Level reduces to Level 1, whereby vehicular access is allowed through the Facility.
St Helena Port Control thanks the public for their cooperation and understanding.
SHG
17 March 2026
Please note that flight operations today, 16 March 2026, will cause disruptions to normal Customs and Immigration services.
The public are thanked for their patience and understanding.
SHG
16 March 2026
The public are advised that the Highways Authority has approved the temporary closure of Shy Road from today, Monday, 16 March, to Monday, 23 March 2026 from 09:00 – 15:00.
This closure is required to allow the Roads Section to rebuild a section of retaining wall that was damaged in a road traffic collision (RTC)
During this period, access will be restricted to Emergency Services only.
The Roads Section thanks the public in advance for their cooperation and understanding.
SHG
16 March 2026