Social Security Minister publishes 2016 Annual Report

21 July 2017

The Minister for Social Security, Deputy Susie Pinel, has today published the 2016 Social Security Annual Report.

The report provides a comprehensive overview of the activities, improvements and initiatives carried out by the Social Security department last year.  It also explains the legislative changes under the responsibility of the department, and gives detailed statistical information about contributory benefits, such as pensions, and tax-funded ones including Income Support.

There is a wealth of information in the report however, some of the important messages are:

• The Back to Work scheme contributed to the lowest level of unemployment in six years (1280) alongside a record number of people in employment.
  
• The launch of a major Social Security review.  In 2016 the first part of the review took the form of a public consultation which raised awareness of how well people prepare for retirement and how we should meet the growing costs of pensions.
  
• The Health and Safety Inspectorate introduced the Management in Construction (Jersey) Regulations in October – the most significant change in Health and Safety legislation for 27 years.
  
• Discrimination legislation was extended to include age in September
  
• The new Pension Plus scheme was developed to replace the 65+Health Plan, making an additional £200,000 per year available to low-income pensioners for dental, optical and chiropody care
  
• A new, targeted Christmas Bonus was introduced to support low income pensioners plus adults and children with a disability living in low income households
  

Deputy Pinel commented “When I take the time to stop and reflect I am very impressed by what the Social Security Department achieved in 2016.  The report focuses on the significant actions and the statistics, so it is important to remember that behind the scenes the day-to-day work carried out by the team in order to deliver these achievements is immense.  The complete dedication to improving customer service, the level of expertise, the rate of change, and the enthusiasm for all of these objectives, is excellent.”

The 2016 Social Security Annual Report is available to download at www.gov.je/SS2016AnnualReport.

Social Security 2016 Annual Report