Guernsey States rejects further benefits rises

Moves to increase proposed rises in benefit payments in Guernsey have been rejected by the States.

The Social Security Department had proposed all contribution-based benefits, including pensions, rise by 3.6% from January.

It also suggested non-contribution benefits rise by inflation.

Seven motions to increase benefits further, including a call to remove family allowance for all but the most needy of islanders, all failed.

A move for further investigation into any law changes needed to classify parents, whose youngest dependent child is aged at least seven years old, as job seekers was approved.