Deputy calls for poverty priority

from the BBC

A senior deputy has called for Guernsey States to make tackling poverty top of its agenda for 2007.

Housing Minister Dave Jones says the burden on lower income families is increasing, and more needs to be done to improve their quality of life.

Mr Jones says it is vital the issue is addressed within the next year.

He said: "The gap between have and have nots is widening. We have to look at the redistribution of wealth and look at targeting benefits."

He said: "All these areas have got to be addressed."

A recent report compiled by Bristol University showed more than 15% of Guernsey islanders were living below what was considered to be the minimum acceptable standard in terms of poverty.

The States said that both the authorities and the community needed to be involved in solving the problem.