From Senator Paul Routier.
AS the former Social Security Minister, I feel I must respond to recent articles about a ‘leaked draft’ report on the Income Support system which I have not had the opportunity to see.

I understand from your publication that the report has been written by former St Helier Parish Welfare staff who did not want to transfer to the Social Security department when Income Support was established.

I need to make it very clear that when early discussions were held with the parish we jointly identified that the parish provided a home-visiting service besides the ordinary payment of welfare. It was agreed that the parish would continue to monitor those home visits and that the Social Services department of Health and Social Services would also become involved if vulnerable clients were identified.

There would also be a home-visiting service provided by Social Security for people who needed assistance in applying for Income Support. I am aware that, when Social Security staff do make home visits and have any concerns about any individual, where appropriate and with the agreement of the client they alert Health and Social Services.

I am obviously concerned that the report of the ‘leaked draft’ highlights the death of a man found in his flat. Under whatever system, we must ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to reduce the likelihood of such an occurrence.

I do recall in our early discussions with the parish that they commented that their work at that time did involve the clearing of properties when people have died and even on rare occasions finding people who have died.

Those very unfortunate occurrences have happened in the past even before Income Support was in place. I would like to express my gratitude to the staff, whether they are from the parish, Social Services or Social Security, for when they have to deal with such a rare traumatic situation. I do not think it is appropriate to use such a circumstance to claim that Income Support is failing.

There has also been comment about an alleged wasteful system. Over the years I have heard comment that Income Support would not be able to support people sufficiently, which is different to the story that is being promoted at the moment. Of course all over the world, where different benefit systems are in place, there will always be people who try to get as much from the system as possible even beyond their actual need and it is for the administrators to avoid that as much as possible.

When I had discussions a number of years ago with the Parish of St Helier, they shared with us the findings of a review of their existing welfare system which identified several cases of people claiming welfare when they were not entitled to it. International Social Security organisations highlight the need in all countries to be vigilant to ensure that available funds are directed to those in real need.

Jersey’s Social Security department do have a compliance department which does focus on ensuring that only those in need receive the appropriate funds. I am a little surprised that if the parish staff or the Constable himself has any actual evidence of inappropriate wasteful payments that they have not advised the department immediately so that it could have been investigated.

Whatever support system is in place there will always be people who feel that they are not supported sufficiently. It happened under the old parish welfare system and it will continue to happen even when the enhancements I proposed last year come in to force next month.

The Income Support system, unlike the previous welfare system, is human-rights compliant and I know that there are people now being supported who did not feel able to make a claim under the old system. I have evidence from many people, especially pensioners, who continually thank me for the fair way in which the new Income Support system has helped them.

I am very proud of the new Income Support system together with the staff team who deliver a very good service to the people of Jersey. Even critics say that Income Support is far better than the previous 14 disjointed benefits that previously existed, including Parish Welfare.

Income Support will continually evolve to meet the changing needs of the community and I am very confident that Ian Gorst, the new minister, and the Social Security department will build on what has been successfully achieved in the first months of the new system.
Chandlers Ford,
Rope Walk,
St Helier.