Report on widening gap between rich and poor

Tuesday 16 February 2016

The latest figures show the gap between the rich and poor in the Island is growing with one in four households here now living on a low income and one in three pensioners – twice as many as in the UK.

If you are one of those households struggling to pay the bills the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel want to hear from you.

The Chairman of the Panel Deputy Richard Renouf said: “The way we look after the poorest, most needy and most vulnerable is a measure of our society. It is a concern that the gap between the rich and poor is growing – and growing far more than in the UK.

Over the last five years the poorest average household income actually decreased by a sixth.

The 2015 – 2018 States Strategic Plan acknowledges that “a sizeable proportion of Islanders live in relative low income and have difficulty coping financially” and the Panel will be looking at what help is available to them and consider whether States policies are doing enough to tackle the issue.

They want to hear from members of the public, voluntary and community organisations about their experiences of living on low income who can send in written submissions to the Scrutiny Office, Morier House, Halkett Place, St Helier, JE1 1DD or email: scrutiny@gov.je

Deputy Renouf said: “States policies acknowledge the importance of tackling low income and the panel will investigate how effective they are likely to be. We would like to hear from anyone who believes they can contribute to our review.”