A MHK has said there needs to be a review of benefits and low incomes after the chief minister announced there will be further support for families who receive free school meals over the Christmas holidays.

At this week’s House of Keys sitting, Garff MHK Daphne Caine asked if there was any support planned to mitigate the impact of ’holiday hunger’ during the school holidays.

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan said he had asked the Treasury for further support for families who receive free school meals across the winter break.

He explained he had spoken with Treasury Minister David Ashford and the issue was being looked at, and said there would be an announcement in the next few days regarding additional support.

Mr Cannan said: ’No child should go hungry on our island at any time of year. Social security provides benefits to low income families all year round in order that they have sufficient funds to feed their family and I would strongly urge any concerned families to contact social security as soon as possible to ensure they can receive the benefits which they are entitled to.

’There are potential extenuating circumstances this Christmas, such as the rise in fuel costs and the rate of inflation which is impacting on the cost of living. I’ve been in discussions with the Treasury minister to consider current economic conditions and have asked him to consider what further support should be considered for those in receipt of free school meals over the Christmas holidays.’

Mrs Caine said after the sitting: ’Mr Cannan said no child should go hungry at any time of the year - but they do and it is time we break that cycle and ensure benefits are adequate to meet the island’s cost of living, especially for families caring for someone with a disability - which has been reported to put families into poverty.

’My worry is that a comprehensive review of benefits is required sooner rather than later, which the chief minister alluded to but one doesn’t seem to be imminent.

’Many people on benefits and low incomes simply can’t make ends meet and face every increase in heating or food bills with anxiety or even despair. People are increasingly getting into debt too.

’With the Isle of Man Foodbank telling me 70% of their clients are referred to them by government, the majority now being families, more work is needed to understand why our social security safety nets are falling short.’

The MHK felt current support wasn’t enough.

She added: ’It’s encouraging that there will hopefully be additional support for some this Christmas but I worry many families that fall just outside the qualifying criteria will also struggle, plus some with pre-school children. The increasing cost of living will adversely impact some families for months unless social security catches up.

’This holiday hunger support should be a short term fix and I look forward to a more detailed policy in the chief minister’s Island Plan to remove such unacceptable social inequalities for the long term.’