Ed Ashton, director of operations for social security said the increase in income support payments was due to “a bit of both” of the number of islanders not working and changes to earnings.
He said the number of people coming off, and going on, income support was largely due to “fluctuations in people’s incomes” and “changes in household makeup” such as separations.
Ashton added addressing the rise of young people not in education, employment or training required “investing early and investing to save”.
About 800 islanders who are meeting “in-work” requirements are currently on income support – at a cost around £12.5 million in income support expenditure.
Bury said ESS was looking at “creative ways” to address the issues at hand, but “there will always be people that need support in various areas”.
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