It’s everyone’s job to protect the vulnerable.

That was the message from Chief Minister Howard Quayle as he rejected a call from Jason Moorhouse (Arbory, Castletown and Malew) to appoint a ’vulnerable people’s champion’.

Mr Quayle said responsibility did not just fall to one section of government.

’Everyone in this court has a role to play in improving the lives of the island’s vulnerable people,’ he said.

’Different parts of government lead particular services - for example, Health and Social Care for vulnerable patients or social care users; and Treasury for Social Security funding to those in financial need.

’The Council of Ministers’ social policy and children’s committee coordinates integrated social policy supported in delivery by the social policy lead officer group.’

He added that the children’s champion and equality champion were ’advocates for their respective areas and the vulnerable amongst our society’.

Mr Moorhouse said the category of vulnerable people was very diverse and he asked whether ’one person could effectively champion this area’.

Mr Quayle said it was too diverse an area for a single person.

’For one political member to be given responsibility - they would be swamped,’ he said. ’There is an old phrase, if you fight on too many fronts, you get beaten.’