£9m boost for social security benefits

Fri, 18 Mar 2011

The Isle of Man Government is to hand out an extra nine million pounds in social security benefits over the next year.

The Department of Social Care was awarded more money in this year's budget to help people on low incomes.

The total amount spent by the department on benefits will be £246m.

Around 5,000 people claim income support and family income supplement, which will both increase by 4.1%.

State pensions are due to rise too - by 4.6%.

Minister Martyn Quayle says the department is still encouraging some people to get off benefits and get back to work. [Play audio file below]