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St Helena’s Sustainable Economic Development Strategy 2023-33 outlines the modernisation of the Bank of St Helena (BOSH) as a key work stream required to enable the modernisation of St Helena’s financial services and company law – a sector identified by the government as one that can enable future transformation of the economy.
As part of the ongoing work, St Helena Government (SHG) is developing a banking policy for the island, so that both BOSH and SHG can have a clear strategy and action plan for improving banking services for St Helena’s residents, businesses, and investors.
To assist in developing the policy and associated strategy, BOSH and SHG are seeking feedback on the use of banking services by residents, the diaspora, and other users of banking services. It is essential that we gather as much data on banking activity as possible in order to have a complete and full understanding of the needs of businesses and individuals, so that future investment can be targeted at the most critical areas.
The survey can be accessed online at https://www.sainthelenabank.com/survey
If you do not have access to the internet, you can also complete the survey in person at the St Helena BOSH branch, Market Street, Jamestown or the Ascension branch, Administration building, Georgetown.
This work is being supported by SHG’s and BOSH’s independent professional advisors. The advisors will be visiting St Helena in late February to follow up on feedback received. If you are interested in speaking to the team in person, please email Economic Development Portfolio Assistant, Alexandria Thomas on Alexandria.thomas@sainthelena.gov.sh to register your interest. All feedback will be kept strictly confidential.
The St Helena Government is currently consulting on a new minimum wage trajectory for the next three year period. This started in December with employers and continues into January 2025 with sessions planned for employees and the general public.
Your Role in the Consultation
This consultation is an opportunity for your voice to be heard. Your participation ensures the best possible evidence is provided to Ministers when taking a decision on the forward trajectory for the minimum wage.
Clearing Up Misconceptions about Tax
A common misunderstanding emerging is that once you have earned above the personal allowance threshold of £7,000 you then pay tax on all of your income. This is not true. Tax is applied only to earnings above the threshold so most of your income remains yours to keep.
Here are some facts about paying tax in St Helena:
Do you know that for every £1 over the tax threshold of £7,000 (up to £25,000) you keep 74p? The same principle applies to earnings over £25,000, that you keep 69p for every pound above the £25,000.
Examples.
- For a person on the minimum wage of £150/week or £7,800/year for a 37.5 hour week this means only £800/year is liable to tax. Their pay for the week of £150, is £146/week after tax or £7,592/year.
- For someone on a wage of £192/week or £10,000/year this means £3,000 is liable to tax. Their pay for the week of £192, is £177/week after tax, or £9,220/year.
- For someone on a wage of £384/week or £20,000/year this means £13,000 is liable to tax. Their pay for the week of £384, is £320/week after tax, or £16,620/year.
Why Paying Tax Matters
Paying tax, if you are eligible, is a social responsibility. The government, any government anywhere, needs to raise revenue to pay for the delivery of public services which we all use and includes education, health and refuse collection to name but a few.
A Note on Penalties
Not declaring income that is liable to tax is an offence carrying a fine. In a worst case scenario, for example by a person knowingly giving false or misleading information to the tax office and not paying the correct tax, the fine could be as high as up to 75% of the tax shortfall in addition to the amount that should have been paid. In less serious scenarios, this could result in a penalty equal to 20% of the tax shortfall.
Strengthening Tax Compliance
SHG is working to strengthen its tax compliance function and the team will be focussing on ensuring that those businesses and individuals who should be paying tax are doing so, creating a fairer, more robust system, which will go some way in helping improve public services for the benefit of all.
SHG looks forward to your continued participation in the consultation process. Contact Head of Strategic Policy, Ann Muir, at the Castle on 22470 for a one to one session. The closing date is Friday 31 January 2025.
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
#StHelena #MinimumWageConsultancy
SHG
22 January 2025
The third meeting of the Police and Crime Panel will take place on Wednesday 22 January 2025 from 14:30 to 16:00. This meeting will be held at the Education Learning Centre, Jamestown.
The agenda will include a Police and Crime Panel report from the Chief of Police and a question and answer (QA) section. A report summary will be made available to the public the day before the meeting via the SHG website at www.sainthelena.gov.sh/portfolios/safety-security-and-home-affairs/police-service/.
The panel consists of the following members:
- Governor Nigel Phillips CBE (Chairperson)
- Administrator of Ascension Island, Simon Minshull
- Minister for Safety, Security and Home Affairs (SSHA), Jeffrey Ellick
- Elected Member of the St Helena Legislative Council, Gillian Brooks
- Portfolio Director for SSHA, Alex Mitham
- Crown Prosecutor, Simon Dykes
- Chief Executive Officer for the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Catherine Turner
We welcome attendance and input from all community members and stakeholders as these reforms progress.
For more information please contact:
Chief of Police, David Price, by telephone on (00290) 22626 or by email through david.price@sainthelena.gov.sh.
You can also view the Police and Crime Plan online at www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/St-Helena-Police-Service-Police-and-Crime-Plan-v1.1.
A recording of the meeting will be uploaded on the SHG YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@sthelenagovernment1638.
#StHelena #RSHP #PoliceandCrimePanel
SHG
13 January 2025
Waste Management Services (WMS) would like to advise that both Refuse Collection Vehicles (RCVs) are currently non-operational due to mechanical issues, and there is no confirmed date for their return to service.
To minimise disruptions to the domestic waste collection, the WMS team will be continuing to provide the collection without mechanical assistance which will make the process longer and more labour-intensive for our refuse collecting team. To make this process a bit easier, the team kindly requesting the public’s cooperation. Please assist by:
- Placing domestic waste in litter bags before placing them into your bins. This will help prevent loose items from being blown away and makes it easier for the team to empty bins by hand.
- Ensuring waste is placed out by 06:00 on your designated collection day.
Please note that some delays or disruptions to the normal waste collection schedule may still occur due to operations being done by hand.
Recycling collection will continue as normal from both communal recycling hubs and commercial businesses.
For any questions or concerns, the public can contact:
Karl Martin (Environmental Officer – Risk Management) on Tele No 24724 or
Shane Williams (WMS Supervisor) on Mobile 66380.
Any inconvenience caused is regretted, and the WMS team would like to thank the public in advance for their support and cooperation during this time.
#WasteManagement #WasteManagementServices
SHG
09 January 2025
The public are invited to participate in a consultation on proposed increases to the minimum wage for the period 2025/26 to 2027/28.
Consultation Opportunities:
- Public Meeting: A public meeting will be held on Thursday, 16 January 2025 at 19:00 at the Museum in Jamestown.
- Stall at the Canister: A consultation stall will be set up outside the Canister on Thursday, 16 January and Friday, 17 January 2025 from 12:00 PM to 14:00
- Contact Head of Strategic Policy, Ann Muir at the Castle on 22470 for a one to one session
Detailed figures for each option are available below:
| Trajectories | ||||||
| Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 | ||||
| Hourly | Annual | Hourly | Annual | Hourly | Annual | |
| 2025/26 | £4.33 | £8,443.50 | £4.50 | £8,775.00 | £4.50 | £8,775.00 |
| 2026/27 | £4.66 | £9,087.00 | £5.00 | £9,750.00 | £5.20 | £10,140.00 |
| 2027/28 | £5.00 | £9,750.00 | £5.50 | £10,725.00 | £6.00 | £11,700.00 |
SHG
10 January 2025
‘Make 2025 your fresh start’
St Helena Government is excited to announce the launch of the “Better Health 2025” campaign, encouraging residents to make positive lifestyle changes in the New Year.
“Make 2025 your fresh start!”
The campaign focuses on promoting overall well-being, emphasising that health goes beyond just weight loss. While weight management is an important aspect, “Better Health 2025” encourages individuals to set personal goals that align with their specific health needs. These goals could include:
- Reducing blood sugar levels
- Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption
- Drinking more water
- Minimising added sugar intake
- Reducing sedentary time
The campaign offers a 12-week Plan, helping participants lose an average of 5.8kg. This plan provides guidance on:
- Setting realistic weight loss goals
- Planning nutritious meals
- Making healthier food choices
- Increasing physical activity
- Tracking progress and celebrating successes
“Better Health 2025” provides comprehensive support, including:
- Behaviour change strategies
- Access to valuable tools and resources
- Ongoing support from the Health Promotion team
The campaign aims to empower individuals to make sustainable lifestyle changes that improve their overall health and well-being.
For more information or to sign up for the “Better Health 2025” programme, please contact the Health Promotion team on 22500.
SHG
9 January 2025
St Helena Government (SHG) will hold a press conference tomorrow, 10 January 2025 with the FCDO Financial Aid Mission (FAM) Delegation and local media. The event is scheduled to take place in the Governor’s office from 15:00 to 15:30 GMT.
His Excellency Governor Nigel Phillips, Chief Minister Julie Thomas and Deputy Director of FCDO’s Overseas Territories and Polar Directorate Adam Pile will be on the panel. The panel will be discussing the FAM visit this week, and how discussions have progressed around recurrent funding for the financial year 2025/6, areas of particular budget pressure and SHG’s response strategy.
#StHelena #OverseasDevelopmentAssistance #FinancialAid
SHG
09 January 2025
Over the past few weeks, there have been a number people within the community with virus infections causing coughs, colds, headaches, and vomiting. No specific viruses have been identified on St Helena, but given that there are currently large outbreaks in the UK of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and SARS CoV19, as well as rhinovirus (the common cold), and that we have had lots of arrivals from there in the run up to Christmas, it is probably the same mixture of viruses.
All of these viruses can cause a range of symptoms including blocked or runny nose, sore throat, a dry cough, headache and generalised muscle aches, sometimes with fevers. The same virus can cause different types and severity of symptoms in different people.
What to do if you’ve got an infection
As with any viral respiratory tract infection, most people do not need any specific treatment. You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen for the headaches and fever, as well as simple cough linctus for the cough. These medications are usually available in the local shops.
There is no need to come to the General Hospital to see a nurse or doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms. It is actually best to stay away given that you might pass your infection onto unwell people or medical staff. Crowded places should also be avoided as you risk passing the infection onto others.
Very rarely you can get a bacterial infection on top of the viral one. If your cough starts producing a lot of yellow or green sputum and you start to feel unwell with shortness of breath, chest pains and persistent fevers, it maybe that you have a bacterial infection. In these cases you should seek clinical advice as you may need antibiotics. However, in most cases you should be back to normal within a few days.
Further to the Press Release issued on 12 December 2024, Minister for Health and Social Care, Martin Henry, will now return to the island on Saturday 11 January 2025.
Minister Christine Scipio will be responsible for the Health and Social Care Portfolio in Minister Henry’s absence and can be contacted by email via christine.scipio@helanta.co.sh, christine.scipio@sainthelena.gov.sh or by telephone on 23545.
The Health Promotion team invites you to join our annual “Healthier Me, Healthier You” campaign this January. This year’s programme includes two initiatives: Dry January and New Year, New You. These initiatives are designed to help you embrace positive lifestyle changes and achieve your health goals.
Take the Dry January’ Challenge
Dry January is a 31-day alcohol-free challenge designed to reset your mind and body. Did you know that excessive alcohol use contributes to over 200 health conditions? On St Helena, drinkers consume an average of 18 units of alcohol weekly – well above the NHS-recommended limit of 14 units.
Benefits of cutting back:
- Health: Improved liver and digestive health, lower blood pressure, and reduced cancer risk.
- Life: Better relationships, financial savings, and work-life balance.
Quit Smoking with ‘New Year, New You’
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide. Why not make 2025 the year you quit? Within just 20 minutes of stopping, your health improves—and the benefits keep growing over time.
Look for more information and updates on the “Healthier Me, Healthier You” campaign on social media.
3 January 2025