AN overhaul of the Isle of Man's benefits system will help weed out people who are abusing the system and end the principle of universality.
That's according to the Chief Minister, Allan Bell MHK, who has said he will be initiating reviews of the Island's national insurance and benefit systems.
Outlining his priorities for the years ahead Mr Bell said it is now time to see whether it is appropriate for the Isle of Man to break away from the UK benefits system completely.
He explained: "Historically our national insurance and benefit systems have been closely linked to those of the United Kingdom. Given the significant changes in these areas by the UK, and the need to ensure we have systems relevant to the future needs of the Isle of Man, I will initiate reviews of our national insurance and benefit systems.
"My concern is that the Isle of Man is not wrong footed on this one and that we don't find ourselves being obliged to introduce change in the Isle of Man which is actually ideologically driven from the United Kingdom.
"I think the time has come to take our own position on this – to see whether it's more appropriate now for us to break away from the UK and have a totally dedicated Manx benefits system which is structured to better target resources to those most in need and remove any disincentive to work which may exist in the present system."
Mr Bell said that it was more important than ever to stop abuse of the system to ensure that the people benefiting from the system are the ones who need it the most.
He continued: "In a limited number of areas the system is being abused. Those who are abusing the system, those who are simply using it as a lifestyle choice or as a way of avoiding work, need to be weeded out.
"Where we have more limited funds in the future they will need to be better targeted and we need to be sure that the people that benefit from it are those who most need government support.
"There needs to be a major readjustment in our priorities and the way we approach giving support and targeting support to those less well off in society."
Mr Bell said it was his ambition to have in place, within two years, revised systems which meet the government's values of a fully inclusive, compassionate and fair society but which are sustainable and well-targeted for the long term. He said this would "challenge the principle of universality".
He continued: "We still have an absolute commitment to developing a prosperous and caring society but we can't have the caring unless we have prosperity. We have to ensure that whatever steps we take we do our upmost to protect the vulnerable in society.
"This isn't meant to be a heartless, right wing, approach but we will have limited funds available in the time ahead. That restriction on funds will last for a few years. Therefore it is vitally important that the funds we do have are targeted at the people who really need our assistance and are not dissipated on those who frankly want to abuse the system."
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