From Claire Landers.
I AM a married mother of a small child. I have lived in Jersey for nearly ten years and my husband was born here. We have always worked, yet we are finding it increasingly difficult to afford to live here.

Earlier this year I was not working because I could not afford to pay childcare costs. I went to the Social Services department to ask if I was entitled to any benefits or a rent rebate. My husband is on an average wage. I was told blankly no, and that according to their calculations we could live off my husband’s wages.

They would not take in to account the fact that he pays 25% tax out of his wages, or that our rent is £960 a month in a cold, damp flat, or that we have bills, outstanding loans, nappies and food to buy. Our outgoings were more than our incomings, yet we didn’t apply for income support or any other form of help. We struggled on for a couple of months, getting further in trouble.

I looked for work and am now in employment, and my daughter, who is two, is in nursery. We are still finding it hard. I myself am on a modest wage. After fees are deducted, I work for £200 a month, if that. Now we have been informed that the nursery fees are being put up by 75p an hour. That’s £100 a month.

I cannot afford to work and will probably have to give up my job, yet how can I afford to stay off work with no financial help? We are a young family trying to pay our way and make a home and life for ourselves in this Island, but we find it nigh on impossible.
82 Marett Court,
St Helier.