'Big Brother' claims over survey

Concerns have been expressed about an island-wide poll in Jersey which is asking people questions about their personal lives.

The States Statistics Unit is sending the questionnaire to thousands of Jersey households chosen at random.

However, some residents have described the style and approach of the survey as "Big Brother" and claim it has distressed a number of elderly people.

But the States says the questions will help in its planning for the future.

Distressed pensioners

Daphne Minihane, chairwoman of the island's branch of Age Concern, says she has had a number of calls from pensioners.

She said: "Number one, they feel targeted and they want to know why they've been targeted; and, number two, they find it difficult to fill in questionnaires."

However, Duncan Gibault from the States Statistic Unit defended the survey.

He said: "It's collecting an awful amount of data we don't have. The last thing we want to do is to cause distress."