Christmas bonus could be benchmarked against RPI rises

Sunday 06 August 2023

The value of the Christmas bonus could be benchmarked against rises in the Jersey retail price index to help pensioners facing increased hardship, if States Members back a proposition from a Reform Deputy.

Deputy Rob Ward also wants the States to ask Social Security Minister Elaine Millar to increase the payment from £84.87 to £114.19 to keep pace with inflation over the seven-year period since 2016.

Going forward, Deputy Ward wants to ensure that the payment – made to pensioners on Income Support, members of the Pension Plus scheme, and some islanders in receipt of disability or carers support – rises in line with the Jersey retail price index which is calculated in March each year.

In the report accompanying a proposition lodged this week, Deputy Ward said: "This proposition aims to rebalance the value [of the Christmas bonus]...There is growing evidence of pensioners facing increased hardship due to the increasing cost of living.

"Although it is suggested that inflation is lower for pensioners, [it] is disproportionately affecting those pensioners on the lowest incomes and who may have some form of income support payments. The Christmas bonus is targeted at this group of society."

Pictured: Deputy Ward said that the bonus could have a significant impact for pensioners around Christmas given the increased cost of living.

Deputy Ward described the £151,000 estimated cost of the increase for just over 5,000 recipients as "a relatively small amount of money" but he said it could have a significant impact for pensioners around Christmas given the increased cost of living.

"Even with falling inflation, the increases from previous high rates remain which are not reflected in the Christmas cost bonus amount paid," he argued.

The Deputy suggests that the cost could be met from underspends, or from money saved from lower than expected claims on the community cost bonus.