Guernsey benefit rates are agreed

Single pensioners in Guernsey will be £5 a week better off from next year, after the States approved the benefits and contributions rates.

Most allowances have risen by 2.9% with only the supplementary benefit for 16 and 17 year olds going down.

Deputies decided those on invalidity benefit would receive the 2.9% above-inflation increase in their benefit.

Social Security had wanted to only offer a 1.5% increase to help equal the rate with sickness benefit.

From January 2010 supplementary benefits for 16 and 17 year olds will drop from £79.31 to £65.03 per week in a move to encourage them to either continue in education or find work.

Prescription charges will rise 10p to £3 per item and family allowances by 40p to £15 per child per week.

One change with immediate affect was an increase in the winter fuel allowance, which runs from the last week in October through to April the next year, from £22.70 to £24.67 a week.