Income Support claimants in Jersey are still living in 'poverty'

Independent research, published today for a government panel investigating low incomes, shows a single parent with two children on Income Support has an income that is 18 percent below what's considered the poverty line.

For a couple with two children, they are 23 percent below it, and worst off of all are a couple with no children, 30 percent below that threshold.

Peter's story

Every day, Peter Ring goes for a walk to town.

It is a struggle these days because of a number of health issues, but life is also a struggle financially.

That is because the support he gets from Social Security doesn't keep up with the real cost of living.

Jersey's Social Security Department may launch a publicity campaign to remind the island's poorest that they may be missing out on benefits to which they're entitled.

Today the minister, Deputy Susie Pinel, and her team were asked if any work had been carried out to assess the scale of 'under-claiming'.

The Scrutiny hearing, looks at the hardship faced by those on low incomes, asked if there should be a specific awareness campaign.

They were told: "It's an idea we could look into but we do put communication out there. But we can look at other avenues, through parish halls etc."

The Social Security team told the panel that charities and groups in Jersey have a named individual they can contact for advice and support at the department: the Income Support Manager.

A study for the government Scrutiny panel investigating low incomes in the island has been analysing benefits rates over the past five years.

Latest figures show an income of less than £336 a week for a household, after housing costs, is considered Relative Low Income (RLI) or poverty.

The study found income support for single people meant they only reached 74% of RLI, 79% for a single parent with a child, and just 70% for a couple with no children.

The Social Security Department today accepted the figures though pointed out there were various ways of analysing the data which could produce different outcomes.

The study was presented to Social Security during their session giving evidence to the Scrutiny panel.

Jersey's Social Security minister is to be quizzed this morning over the effect of benefits cuts on those with the lowest incomes.

Deputy Susie Pinel is giving evidence to a Scrutiny hearing which is undertaking a wide ranging review of how Jersey's poorest are coping following a series of government cuts.

Tens of millions of pounds were slashes from States budgets last year as part of a plan to balance the books.

Benefits changes included the axing of income support for under 25's who live at home and a reduction in support for some single parents.

The Christmas bonus for pensioners was also scrapped.

Latest figures show 26% of households in Jersey live in poverty, known officially as 'relative low income'.

Follow our reporter Gary Burgess on Twitter for regular updates on this story today - @GaryBurgessITV