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STATEMENT TO BE MADE BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY COMMITTEE ON 21st JUNE 2005
Members are no doubt aware that the Employment and Social Security Department operates a scheme which enables certain people to buy milk from the Jersey Milk Marketing Board at less than the retail price. Since the Board decided to end the delivery services, the Committee has been considering new ways of administering the scheme pending the introduction of Income Support in 2007.
There are just under 8,000 people in receipt of the subsidy but the actual amount of the subsidy is very small. By far, the largest group (nearly 6,000) are people over 70 years old and those with specific health needs who qualify between the age of 65-70. They each receive a subsidy of 24 pence on up to 4 x ½ litre cartons of milk per week, that is a maximum of 96 pence weekly.
The other groups, children under five years of age and expectant mothers receive a subsidy of 22 pence on up to 7 x ½ litre cartons of milk, that is, a maximum of £1.54 weekly.
The Committee, in discussion with the Milk Marketing Board, considered a voucher scheme but decided that with under 8,000 recipients using 4-7 vouchers weekly, it would be cumbersome and costly to administer. Given the relatively small sums involved, the Committee has decided to pay the subsidy to existing beneficiaries in a lump sum for the remainder of this year.
The Department is liaising with the Milk Marketing Board, who previously administered the scheme, to identify those currently receiving subsidised milk. It is hoped to make the payment in a few weeks time.