Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Quarterly benefit figures lowest since 2009

Quarterly benefit figures lowest since 2009

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley says the latest benefit figures show a further year-on-year decline as the New Zealand economy improves and welfare reforms continue to support families.

There were 284,260 people on benefit at the end of the March 2015 quarter, a drop of 11,060, or 3.7 per cent, compared to a year ago. The figures are the lowest since March 2009.

“These numbers are extremely positive, and they continue the downward trend of the number of people on welfare,” says Mrs Tolley.

“The figures released today are especially heartening with the decline coming as the working age population has increased.

“Over 5,000 (4.1 per cent) fewer people are on Jobseeker Support than at the same time last year, with sizeable reductions in Canterbury (13.3 per cent) and Auckland (8.4 per cent).

“Meanwhile Sole Parent Support numbers are down 5,471 (7.2 per cent) nationally. Each region recorded a drop, with the strongest reductions in Canterbury (8.6 per cent), Auckland (8.1 per cent) and East Coast (7.3 per cent).

“Getting off a benefit and into employment or study reduces long-term welfare dependency. It allows individuals and families to thrive, and is also good news for taxpayers.”

Year-on-year benefit number comparisons give a truer overall picture of trends, as quarterly data is subject to seasonal influences such as people going on and off Jobseeker Support – Student Hardship. There were 24,885 fewer people on benefit compared to the December quarter.

The latest benefit data is available at: http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/statistics/benefit/index.html


ends

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.