DEBATE in the Assembly yesterday on a proposed modernisation of the island’s supplementary benefit system has highlighted what government here doesn’t do well, largely because of the silo operation of the various departments.

NEXT month, States members will be asked to consider modernising the island’s supplementary benefits system aimed at introducing a single rent and income support system that has a strong focus on work and personal responsibility.

SOCIAL SECURITY has put forward proposals that could see £20m. a year spent on improving benefits and tackling poverty in the island.

THE minimum age for claiming supplementary benefit will rise from 16 to 18, if the States approves Social Security proposals.

LIFTING the earnings cap for people claiming a carer’s allowance would make their work seem less devalued, disability groups have said.

GOVERNMENT should not dictate to parents which one of them stays at home to look after a newborn baby, according to the chairman of the group putting forward proposals to introduce statutory maternity leave.

BENEFIT cheats tried to con islanders out of £300,000 last year, the Guernsey Press can reveal.

A DISABLED woman says she has been repeatedly turned down for benefits – even though her husband has had to give up his job to be her full-time carer.

WORK to get justice for island women caught out by scrapping the widows’ pension in 2004 is taking place behind the scenes, a deputy has revealed.

A FORMER sailor with the Royal Navy who was injured in the course of his duties faces seeing his disability benefit hit.