Tax increase proposals for long-term care in Jersey

People in Jersey could pay more in social security contributions to fund care for others as they get older, under proposals from one politician.

Senator Alan Breckon wants to establish a long-term care insurance fund which people would start paying into from the age of 16.

He said the current system of paying for care was not sustainable because of the aging population.

The plans are due to be debated in the States in October.

Retirement payments

Research in 2008 said that 4% of the island's 90,000-strong population was over the age of 65, but that was set to increase.

The cost of caring for elderly people is also expected to double to £110m per year by 2026.

Senator Breckon said that the current system could not afford such increases.

Under the senator's proposals, islanders would continue to pay into the fund during their retirement.

It would then be used to pay for care for anyone who had contributed.