26 June 2023
The Chief Minister, Deputy Kristina Moore, has issued a response to the Jersey Evening Post headline on 23 June, 'No additional budget for cost of living':
"The Government would like to clarify that, whilst there won't be an additional mini-budget in 2023, further support with the cost of living will come forward as part of the Government Plan process. These discussions are ongoing and will be published in September.
"It is therefore disappointing that Islanders weren't provided with the full context on what has already been budgeted for and our future plans.
"We are providing Islanders with an additional £42 million this year to directly help people with the cost of living.
"It is being given back to Islanders through various initiatives aimed at helping to ease the financial burden Islanders are facing due to further rising costs.
"This £42 million includes:
- Supporting vulnerable Islanders with the Community Cost Bonus, Parental Support Payment, Cost of Living Temporary Support Scheme, Cold Weather payments, and Income Support.
- The minimum wage has already been increased to £10.50 per hour.
- Agreed to apply an above inflation 12% uplift to the weekly care rates included in the Long-Term Care Scheme.
- Raising the income tax thresholds for 2023 by £2,000 to £18,550 for individuals and over £3,000 for married couple to £29,750.
- Reducing the cost of face-to-face doctor's appointments by £20.
- Duty freeze on alcohol and fuel.
- £400,000 of urgent additional funding to help Jersey's dairy sector.
"This is in addition to the £15 million provided immediately to Islanders during the latter part of last year to help with the rising cost of living, totalling £56.5 million.
"There is, of course, much more to be done and the Ministerial-led Cost of Living Strategy Group is preparing a number of initiatives as part of the Government Plan to further help Islanders."
gov.je