Income Support (Amendment No. 3) (Jersey) Regulations 200-.

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

Ministers are individually accountable to the States Assembly, including for the actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.

The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made (20/10/2008) regarding: Income Support (Amendment No. 3) (Jersey) Regulations 200-.

Decision Reference: MD-S-2008-0067
Decision Summary Title :	DS - Income Support (Amendment No.3) (Jersey) Regulations 200-		Date of Decision Summary:	20 October 2008
Decision Summary Author:	Sue Duhamel – Policy and Strategy Director		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	Income Support (Amendment No.3) (Jersey) Regulations 200-		Date of Written Report:	17 October 2008
Written Report Author:	Sue Duhamel – Policy and Strategy Director		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Income Support (Amendment No.3) (Jersey) Regulations 200-
Decision(s): 1. The Minister approved the Regulations and accompanying report 2. The Minister requested that the Regulations be lodged for debate on 2 December 2008.
Reason(s) for Decision: The amendment increases the level of various Income Support components to bring into effect part of a package of measures contained in a proposition of the Treasury and Resources Minister to be debated on 2 December 2008.
Resource Implications: There are no manpower implications. The additional cost is provided for in the budget allocation of £3,000,000 provided for in the proposition of the Treasury and Resources Minster to be debated on 2 December 2008.
Action required: To lodge the Regulations through the Greffe for debate on 2 December 2008.
Signature:		Position:
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Income Support (Amendment No. 3) (Jersey) Regulations 200-.

Report for Income Support Regulations Amendment

Subject to States’ agreement of P.163/2008, this Regulation gives effect to the proposed changes to the component rates in Income Support.

Basic component increases

All Income Support claims include basic components for adults, children, lone parents and households as appropriate. Increasing these rates ensures that every claim will receive a certain level of additional benefit. The amount of additional benefit will depend on the number of people in the household, with larger households receiving a higher amount than smaller households.

Targeted support

There are certain groups who encounter additional barriers to accessing the workplace and so will be less likely to be able to take advantage of the improved incentives available in the Income Support system.

Many individuals with high personal care needs will be unlikely to be able to enter the labour market and, for a variety of reasons, may not receive LTIA or a pension.

Providing an increase in the Personal Care components levels 2 and 3 will ensure that this group receive additional benefit. The components will be increased by £7 per week.

Summary of Component Increases

Increase in weekly component rates

Component	Current rate	Proposed increase	Proposed rate
Adult	£89.32	£0.98	£90.30
Child	£60.27	£0.63	£60.90
Lone parent	£128.94	£0.98	£129.92
Household	£45.71	£0.49	£46.20
Personal care level 2	£89.32	£7.00	£96.32
Personal care level 3	£131.25	£7.00	£138.25

Financial and Manpower Implications

There are no manpower implications. Implementation costs, including administration, are estimated at a maximum of £10,000. The cost of the increased benefits can be met from the Departmental cash limit, subject to the approval of P.163/2008.