Social security increase makes absolute sense

Saturday 31st July 2010, 3:00PM BST.

Proposed social security increases to meet the cost of care for the elderly, suggested alternatives to car use and the grant system for ‘private’ schools are the subjects raised this week by JEP columnist Christine Herbert.

‘IT isn’t often that I’m in favour of increases in the amount coming out of my wages.

‘But the social security increase this week proposed by Deputy Ian Gorst makes absolute sense on every level.

‘Having seen the kind of pressure put on an elderly relative in the UK to sell up her home in order to pay for care, I am wholly in favour of paying in advance to avert those kind of pressures later in life.

It appears that the island next door has had a scheme similar to the one now being proposed here since 2002. The only argument against it seems to be the length of time it has taken our own government to respond to what is an obvious need.’

• Read the full column in today’s JEP