Guernsey Mother Questions Income Support After 26-Year-Old Told Not to Work Until Child Turns 3
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jul 27
Guernsey Mother Questions Income Support After 26-Year-Old Told Not to Work Until Child Turns 3
2 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jul 27
Summary
Lydia Pang, 26, said Guernsey income support staff told her she did not need a job until her daughter turned three and then would need to work only 15 hours a week.
Pang, a single mother living in emergency housing, said the message made her question whether the system helps parents into work or keeps them on benefits while childcare costs force her to hold two jobs.
ESS President Tina Bury rejected claims the system discourages work and invited parents who feel put off from working to contact her directly.
Former income support head Jim Roberts said the scheme is meant to top up earnings, not replace them, adding that most working-age claimants are already in work.
Childcare remains a central pressure point: Guernsey currently offers 15 hours of free pre-school education only in the year before school, while one lawmaker has backed expanding that to 30 hours.