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WQ.262/2020
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BY DEPUTY G.P. SOUTHERN OF ST. HELIER
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 13th JULY 2020
Question
Given that the Minister has stated that she has no plans to cut benefits this year and that she has laid down her "red lines" in respect of potential changes to benefits, will the Minister advise –
- what consideration, if any, has been given to the impact of freezing benefits, or some components of the benefit system, in October this year; and
- provide a list of the potential changes that have been considered, explaining where her red lines' have been drawn and setting out whether she has totally accepted, partially accepted or rejected the proposed changes on the list?
Answer
- In the States Assembly on 30 June, I confirmed that I was reviewing the position with regard to any increases in the level of tax funded benefits this year. There has been a significant increase in the number of Income Support claimants since the start of the year and 2020 Income Support costs are likely to be more than £10 million higher than originally budgeted. This is still the situation today and I will continue to consider the impact of uprating or freezing benefit components and rates.
- It is inappropriate to publish information on potential policy changes, until these have been fully considered and agreed. A full list of agreed changes will be provided in the forthcoming Government Plan.