‘Picked-on pensioners’ protest planned against budget cuts

Monday 14 December 2015

Jersey’s pensioners could be out in force in the Royal Square tomorrow morning to lobby politicians ahead of the budget debate that’s unlikely to bring them any joy this Christmas.

States Members are debating whether to cut extra tax allowances for the over 65s – an allowance worth £3,300 per year to an elderly couple - and whether to reinstate the Pensioners Christmas Bonus on a means-tested basis.

Deputy Geoff Southern's Christmas Bonus proposition, if successful, will ensure the Island's 7,000 poorest pensioners continue to receive it.

Reform Jersey Party chairman Deputy Sam Mézec said: “The government have made a terrible mistake by picking on pensioners, first by taking away the Christmas Bonus, now by trying to phase out their tax allowances. Most Islanders we have spoken to are appalled at the idea that people who have worked hard all of their lives and deserve a decent retirement are the victims of States cost-cutting.”

The Party says it's not fair that the poorest and most vulnerable in society are being targeted and made to pay for the £175m black hole and want to see these savings replaced with additional tax on the wealthy instead.

Backbencher Carolyn Labey is fighting to keep the extra money in pensioners' purses with a proposal that if approved, would see tax allowances increased by inflation - currently running at 0.9% - to maintain the benefit to the elderly.

Deputy Mézec said: “We’re calling on all Islanders, but specifically pensioners, to form a crowd as States Members arrive for the debates so that they can see the strength of public feeling on this and to use that last minute opportunity to pressure members to remember who it is they work for and to vote to protect these pensioners benefits.”

“States Members have already voted to abolish the Christmas Bonus for all pensioners, but we believe that with a bit of pressure from the public, they can be convinced to at least reinstate it for the poorest pensioners.”