There is absolutely no intention to single out one sector of the community when means testing is introduced, the Chief Minister assured Tynwald.
Replying to a question from Castletown MHK Richard Ronan, Allan Bell insisted that reforms would not just focus on council house tenants.
‘I can assure this court that government’s approach to means testing is not about targeting one section of the community or about singling out one social group to bear the brunt of any reform,’ he said.
Mr Bell told the court that the traditional ‘universal services for all’ model is no longer sustainable and some services will have to be means tested in future.
Key public services will continue to be free at the point of delivery, however, he added.
‘However unpalatable some members may find the reforms, there can be no escaping the need to progress the extension of means testing, given the financial challenges which this government now faces,’ Mr Bell told Tynwald.
Mr Bell said the policy of means testing is still being developed.
But he added: ‘Underlying our work is a focus on protecting the vulnerable and we will ensure scarce public resources and support are targeted to those in greatest need, being careful to assess fairly and consistently individual needs and ability to pay.
He said the cumulative effect of any changes would be taken into account to ensure no unreasonable burden was put on any single group.
Mr Bell said the aim was to develop a single means testing system. He said a range of options were being drawn up but first to be means tested would be Child Benefit as from April.