A number of Islanders have been in contact with me regarding welfare payments during the pandemic. I completely agree that people on the Island who have faced financial disruption over the past few months should be supported and I welcome the commitment to do so, with unprecedented support packages rolled out for both individuals and businesses. The government has put in £9 billion extra into welfare support already and £63 million to help Councils support families in need, so significant additional help is already going to families on the Island and across the UK.
A package of temporary measures worth around £9.3billion has been introduced to help those facing financial disruption as a result of the pandemic. This has included the increase in Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit. The government offered support to over 9 million people through the Coronavirus Job Retention and that this scheme is now being re-implemented in light of the introduction of further restrictions. Over 18,000 employees and over 6,000 self-employed have previously been supported through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and I welcome the continuation of the original scheme for Islanders1. A new initiative has also been announced with regards to training opportunities through the introduction of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee and the launching of ‘The Skills Toolkit’ which is available online.
A number of Islanders have been able to claim the additional £20 uplift to Universal Credit payments. Claimants on legacy benefits can make a claim for Universal Credit if they believe they would be better off. In addition to the extra support provided through Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit, the legacy benefits were increased by 1.7 per cent in April 2020 following the announcement to end the benefits freeze.
