Understand
Pensions account for 86% of welfare spending in Guernsey, according to ESS figures
Overview
Data revealed during an Environment & Social Security (ESS) scrutiny meeting shows that states pensions made up 86% of benefit expenditure from Guernsey's social security scheme last year. ESS President Deputy Tina Bury highlighted that demographics are driving expenditure and that the island's social security system faces pressures including long-term care and mental health, which accounted for 30% of incapacity sickness benefits.
Key points
- States pensions accounted for 86% of benefit expenditure from Guernsey's social security scheme.
- About 30% of people on income support in Guernsey are pensioners.
- ESS President Deputy Tina Bury stated that demographics are driving expenditure on the island.
- Mental health accounted for 30% of incapacity sickness benefits.
- Around 800 islanders meeting in-work requirements are on income support, costing approximately £12.5 million.