Islanders on the lowest incomes could get an urgent 5% increase in benefit rates if Guernsey’s States agrees.

An emergency Policy Letter is to go to the Assembly which could see more money for the poorest islanders as they face the soaring cost of living.

Employment and Social Security says income support, rent and benefit allowances need to increase so islanders can still afford essential goods and services, such as food, fuel and rent.

If agreed, more low-earners will be eligible for income support and the maximum contributions towards rent will be raised.

Inflation in Guernsey is currently running at 7%.

President of the Committee for Employment & Social Security, Deputy Peter Roffey, says he was glad such an important Policy Letter was allowed to be submitted at short notice:

"Although the cost-of-living crisis is not unique to Guernsey, we need to ensure that we do what we can, as soon as we can, for islanders on the lowest incomes, who are already feeling the impact of the increasing cost of food, fuel and many other essentials.

He suggests anyone who can't make ends-meet right now should see if they are entitled to financial support.

If you don’t currently receive income support and are struggling to make ends meet, I urge you to get in contact with the Income Support team to see what financial support may be available to you."

If approved by the Assembly, the support package would come into effect from 7 October 2022.

This proposal is being described as a stepping stone toward the rates that will be proposed to take effect in January 2023.