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The bank accounts of Jersey's lowest income islanders will today be credited with £100 to spend in the local economy.
Over 12,500 islanders on Income Support or Pension Plus will receive the 'Spend Local' payment, which is aimed at getting money flowing around Jersey again following the devastating impact of the health crisis and accompanying lockdown.
The payment comes in addition to a £100 voucher or prepaid card due to be gifted to every islander in September as part of the government's recently-announced £150m stimulus package.
It means that households eligible for today's payment will receive £200 in total, which they're being encouraged to spend on 'treats' - such as a trip to a local restaurant, café or shop, hair and beauty services or home and garden maintenance - to help the economy recover from the impact of the pandemic.
Pictured: Islanders on Income Support or Pension Plus will receive the payment tomorrow (Friday 24 July).
Anyone eligible for the payment will receive a letter today and have their bank account credited tomorrow. The money is a 'gift', and therefore doesn't have to be declared for tax. It also won't affect islanders' Income Support claims.
“We know that covid-19 has not just affected Jersey’s economy, it’s affected the day-to-day lives of islanders," Social Security Minister Deputy Judy Martin said.
“The ‘Spend Local’ payment helps islanders on lower incomes to support our local economy by giving them an extra opportunity to support their favourite local businesses.”
Treasury Minister Deputy Susie Pinel added: “The Spend Local payment adopts the targeted, timely, and temporary approach we announced in the Fiscal Stimulus package.
"This one-time payment is specifically for islanders on lower incomes, and will provide additional support sooner, rather than later.”
Pictured: Social Security Minister, Deputy Judy Martin.
News of the payment's imminent arrival comes after the latest 'health check' of the economy released by Statistics Jersey showed that activity among local businesses had dropped to an all-time low.
Nearly three quarters of local businesses said that their activity had declined. This was accompanied by a 73% drop in turnover.
Q&A: How will the £100 voucher boost work?
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