MHK questions why pensioner payment wasn't means tested

Why was a living payment of £300 made to all pensioners on the Island irrespective of their financial situation?

That was the question raised by Douglas North MHK John Wannenburgh in the House of Keys this week.

Treasury Minister Alex Allinson conceded there would've been a number of recipients who didn't necessarily need it, but the process of means testing was 'extremely cumbersome'.

In total the payments amounted to £5.75 million, Minister Allinson said work is ongoing to simplify the process for the future.