11 February 2011

John Key’s Government is growing inequality and cutting social spending which is a recipe for disaster, said the Green Party today.

“A new Salvation Army report confirms that this Government is failing New Zealand’s most vulnerable people,” said Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei.

The Salvation Army 2011 State of the Nation report found significant social policy failures, these include: the growing number of children living in workless households, the continuing education disadvantage to Maori children, the burgeoning housing shortage in Auckland, high youth unemployment, and the record number of people in prison.

“Inequality, poverty and the associated social problems are on the rise in New Zealand as a direct result of John Key’s policies,” said Mrs Turei.

“We can be a better country than this, everyone in New Zealand deserves fair go. The Salvation Army report shows that we are heading in the wrong direction.

“John Key flagged in his opening speech to Parliament that we are staring down the barrel of policy changes that will widen the gap between those who have the most, and those who need the most.

“This not good enough, there are lots of things we can do right now to make sure that all New Zealanders are guaranteed the essentials,” said Mrs Turei.

“The Green Party’s Mind the Gap package outlines how we plan to address inequality and poverty. Our solutions include investment in state housing, expanding the in-work tax credit to those that need it the most and providing affordable electricity.”

ENDS

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