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The government has pledged to carry out an urgent review of the support available to Islanders who look after loved ones – little more than 24 hours after the JEP launched its #TimetoCare campaign calling for a fair deal for family carers penalised by current policies. In a statement issued shortly after 11am on Sunday morning, Social Security Minister Lyndsay Feltham said she had “directed officers to undertake an urgent review of the range of support available”, which will be completed “as a matter of priority over the next few weeks”. The announcement follows the launch of the JEP’s Time to Care campaign on Saturday, which seeks to end the “ludicrous” and“inhumane” rule preventing Islanders who have spent their lives contributing to Jersey and now devote their days to caring for loved ones from accessing a pension at the same time as a carer’s allowance. The campaign has so far highlighted the stories of Islanders like widower Mark Jones – a full-time carer for his son and daughter, who have Down’s syndrome and severe autism, respectively – and 68-year-old Kay Donnelly, who cared for her elderly mother. Mr Jones, who was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2021 for services to the Island’s learning-disability community, said being forced to choose between his pension and carer’s allowance “punishes” carers and adds “pressure on families in need of support”. He has since launched a human rights complaint against the Minister. Ms Donnelly added: “If they’d let me have my pension and my carer’s allowance it would save them £6,000 a month. It just doesn’t make any sense.” The JEP first shared Mr Jones’ story on Saturday 18 October, with the issue garnering support from Carers Jersey, outgoing Age Concern president Ben Shenton and Pride of Jersey award-winner and brain tumour support campaigner Sophie Reid, among hundreds of other Islanders. It prompted questions to the Social Security Minister during last week’s States Assembly meeting and Scrutiny hearing, including why Jersey had not followed the example of Guernsey which had overturned similar legislation in 2018. During those sessions, Deputy Feltham maintained that there were already other additional supports available for carers and indicated that she would be in favour of a wider review of the benefits system as a whole. However, after the JEP’s campaign received overwhelming support this weekend, the Minister this morning pledged to specifically review “ the support available to working age and pensioner carers to ensure that all carers receive support for their caring responsibilities and are not left struggling”. This will also include whether any “legislative change” is required. “My team and I will work in close partnership with Carers and their families, States Members and community organisations to ensure that any proposals directly address the needs of carers, and are fair, effective and sustainable,” the Minister added. “I have already arranged to meet Carers organisations this coming week, and I will bring forward a clear plan, along with a timetable for implementation, in the next few weeks. Deputy Feltham said her priority was “to ensure dignity and fairness for carers”. “We are committed to taking action to ensure our support achieves this. The Government will continue to engage with carers and stakeholder organisations as these plans are developed, ensuring that policy reform reflects real lived experience and delivers practical support where it is needed most.” More #TimeToCare coverage in tomorrow’s JEP.
