Hundreds of lower-income workers to get £250

The recommended living wage people should be paid in Jersey will be increased by more than £1 an hour in 2024

About 900 lower-income workers will get a £250 lump sum to tide them over until a living wage is introduced, Jersey's government has said.

The Registered Employee Support Payment Scheme (RESPS) is for those who have lived in Jersey for fewer than five years, the government said.

It was aimed at "assisting employers and employees" during Jersey's transition towards a living wage of £13 per hour by 1 April 2025.

Those believed to be eligible have been contacted by the government and given until 22 November to apply for the one-off lump sum, it added.

'Services and skills'

Deputy Lyndsay Feltham, minister for social security, said the transition towards a living wage was an "important priority" for this government.

She said the cost of living was impacting those lower-income workers who have not lived on the island for five years and were therefore not entitled to income support.

“They will benefit significantly from increases in the minimum wage over the next two years and this scheme is designed to support lower wage earners through this transitionary period, and hopefully encourage them to stay in the Island, and continue to provide important services and skills," she added.

In order to be eligible for this scheme an individual must be a Jersey resident, have a Jersey or other UK bank account in their name and be aged over 18.

They must have been resident for fewer than five years and have "Control of Housing and Work Law" registered status.

To qualify people must not live in a household that meets residency conditions for the income support scheme and they must have contribution earnings declared in July, August and September of 2024.

The original target of reaching the living wage by the end of 2024 will not be achieved, the government has acknowledged.