Cost of housing support for low paid

Benefits to public and private sector tenants

The Island spends around £14.5 million a year helping people pay their rents, it's emerged.

This morning in Tynwald, Treasury Minister Eddie Teare faced questions from West Douglas MHK Chris Thomas about whether it's getting value for money.

He claimed the figure for housing cost assistance was £20 million.

But Mr Teare said that was a huge overestimate - he said £6.5 million is being paid to those in private rented property, while around £8 million goes to tenants in public sector housing. 

Mr Tear said the income-related benefit drew no distinction between the two: