Delays to the introduction of means-testing for public sector housing came under fire in the House of Keys this week.

Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer said any means-testing for public sector housing would need to tie in with an over-arching policy across different services, to be drawn up by the Council of Ministers’ social policy and children’s committee.

He could not give a commitment as to when means-testing would be brought in for housing.

But Daphne Caine (Garff) said: ’The means-testing of rents for the tenant’s public sector housing was initially proposed and expected to come in in 2015 - and there was a press release three years ago that said it was going to be deferred.

’Alongside additional charges for high-earning tenants, if that is intended, is the department anticipating being able to offer rebates or subsidies to tenants on low incomes? And when does he think it will come in?’

Mr Harmer said to do anything in isolation from the work of the SPCC would be ’premature and incorrect’.

’I will not comment on previous administrations’ commitments on means-testing and aspirations,’ he added.

’Means testing is a good thing in principle - obviously the devil is in the detail of working that out.’

Referring to the SPCC’s consultation in advance of developing a general policy for ensuring those who can do pay for public services, Mr Harmer said: ’My department will participate fully in developing the next steps subsequent to this consultation.

’My department has been proactive in bringing in a five-year fixed-term tenancy for all new public sector housing tenants from April 2014. This gives housing providers the opportunity to assess the housing need and financial circumstances at the end of the five years.’

David Ashford (Douglas North) raised concerns that those fixed-term tenancy arrangements would be up for review in 2019. He said a ’proper means-testing policy’ needed to be in place.

But Mr Harmer said: ’The key thing that I need to stress in terms of the five-year review is that it is a needs assessment. It is reassessing a tenant’s housing need in there - is it four-bedroom, is it three-bedroom? - based on the criteria.

’That is different from means-testing.’

The minister added: ’A consultation in respect of general needs public sector housing is about to be launched and it is intended that the public sector housing authorities will commence needs-based assessments within the next two years, to ensure that the provision of public sector housing is targeted to those who are most in financial and housing need.’