Latest news with #EmploymentandSocialSecurity
BBC News
25-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Guernsey adds one affordable home in two years
Guernsey added one affordable home to its housing stock between 2022 and 2024, according to a new report from the island's said in the previous eight years the island added 333 affordable homes, an average of more than 41 a island had 27,695 domestic properties at the end of 2024 including just over 1,600 open market properties, the report developers had previously said the island's affordable housing policy was blocking development because of the added costs. The States has been contacted for comment. However, in 2024 the States voted to suspend the rule, known as GP11, for five the time, Employment and Social Security President Peter Roffey warned the suspension would mean the burden of affordable house building would fall solely on the report said only 111 domestic properties were unoccupied in 2024, 0.4% of the created 142 new housing units in 2024, while 70 units were removed - an overall increase of 72 units.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Islanders to pay more to access residential care
Changes to how long-term care is funded in Guernsey aimed at stabilising and encouraging growth in the private care home market have been approved by States members. Over the next 15 years the number of people over the age of 85 is expected to more than double in Guernsey with more than 130 new care home beds needed by 2030. Currently islanders qualify for long-term care benefit and respite care benefit if they have been resident for five years, but this will be increased to 20 years. The agreed changes to the Long-term Care Insurance Scheme (LCIS) include a new user-pays contribution of up to £10,000 and increasing co-payments. The weekly payments will rise from £342.02 to £514.00 over a five-year phasing-in period beginning this year while the lump sum will be brought in at a later date. Deputy Peter Roffey, President of Employment and Social Security, brought forward the proposals and said he was delighted they were approved. "It was absolutely vital, otherwise we would have stood no chance at all of stabilising and expanding the care sector, which we desperately need." He said accepting the proposals was the first step to creating a competitive market to meet demand and improving the pay of care workers. "Recruiting and housing staff will be very difficult, but at least now we have the financial awards properly aligned with what they should be. "It gives us a fighting chance of seeing expansion." Deputy Al Brouard's amendment to increase the number of years someone must live in the island, before accessing financial help to pay for care, from five to 20 also passed. A "sufficient connection" to the Bailiwick over that period will have to be demonstrated. Roffey said he felt the qualification level was 'harsh' but he respected the decision of his colleagues. Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Labour of love: Carers call for States support Islanders in care face paying thousands more Longer residency may be needed to qualify for care States of Guernsey
BBC News
20-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Guernsey residents to pay more to access residential care
Changes to how long-term care is funded in Guernsey aimed at stabilising and encouraging growth in the private care home market have been approved by States the next 15 years the number of people over the age of 85 is expected to more than double in Guernsey with more than 130 new care home beds needed by islanders qualify for long-term care benefit and respite care benefit if they have been resident for five years, but this will be increased to 20 agreed changes to the Long-term Care Insurance Scheme (LCIS) include a new user-pays contribution of up to £10,000 and increasing co-payments. 'A fighting chance' The weekly payments will rise from £342.02 to £514.00 over a five-year phasing-in period beginning this year while the lump sum will be brought in at a later Peter Roffey, President of Employment and Social Security, brought forward the proposals and said he was delighted they were approved."It was absolutely vital, otherwise we would have stood no chance at all of stabilising and expanding the care sector, which we desperately need."He said accepting the proposals was the first step to creating a competitive market to meet demand and improving the pay of care workers."Recruiting and housing staff will be very difficult, but at least now we have the financial awards properly aligned with what they should be."It gives us a fighting chance of seeing expansion."Deputy Al Brouard's amendment to increase the number of years someone must live in the island, before accessing financial help to pay for care, from five to 20 also passed.A "sufficient connection" to the Bailiwick over that period will have to be said he felt the qualification level was 'harsh' but he respected the decision of his colleagues.
