Cost of living: Many families 'at breaking point'

A group of islanders and charities have written an open letter to States members, calling for urgent changes to help struggling families with the cost of living.

The letter, backed by the likes of Caritas, the Jersey Childcare Trust and Freeda, says around one in four children in Jersey are living in relative low income, around a third of households are struggling financially, and that housing and childcare costs are soaring.

They describe how families are making impossible choices every day - such as cutting back on food and heating and working multiple jobs - and that it's not just impacting those on so-called 'low income'. The letter says:

"This is no longer simply a question of “pressure”. For many families, it is about survival.

"Importantly, this crisis is no longer confined to those traditionally considered low income. A growing number of working and middle-income families are falling between the cracks: above eligibility thresholds for support, but below what it actually costs to live here. They are increasingly invisible within our current system."

They warn of a social and economic impact this will have, but say there is reason for hope.

"Evidence from Jersey, the UK and elsewhere shows that early, integrated and family-centred support works. Investment in early years, childcare and preventative services leads to better outcomes for children, stronger families and reduced long-term public costs.

"Jersey, as a small island, has a unique opportunity to design something better: a system that is joined-up, accessible and built around real lives. But this will require bold and systemic change, not incremental adjustments."

They're calling for 'a cross-sector working session with Ministers and States Members' within the first months of the new States Assembly.

"The change required now must be ambitious enough to meet the reality families are facing, while remaining grounded in evidence, collaboration and lived experience.

"Families in Jersey are doing everything right -  working hard, contributing to our economy and communities - yet many are still struggling to make ends meet.

"This should concern all of us.

"The decisions made over the coming years will shape not only immediate outcomes, but the long-term future of our Island. We have a window of opportunity to act, to build a fairer, healthier and more sustainable Jersey.

"We urge Jersey’s next Government and States Assembly to seize that opportunity, and we stand ready to work alongside you."

Channel 103 has contacted the Government of Jersey for a response.