Food Banks Feel the Pinch of Labour's Policies
Food Banks Feel the Pinch of Labour's Policies
Wednesday 26 Dec 2001 Dr Muriel Newman Press Releases -- Social Welfare
Record turnouts at food banks and City Mission Christmas lunches show that the politics of redistribution do not work, ACT Social Welfare Spokesman MP Dr Muriel Newman said today.
"Rising food prices and stealth taxes combined with falling wages are putting serious pressure on the budgets of low-income working families.
"Already food prices have risen 6.7 percent in the year ending last month, with meat, fish and chicken up 14.6 percent. Meanwhile, the Government is looking to increase taxes on cigarettes yet again, as well as planning increases for alcohol and petrol.
"In spite of Labour promising not to increase taxes, it clearly has an agenda to bring in stealth taxes anywhere it can, hoping it will get away with it.
"Struggling working New Zealanders who are having to turn more and more to the help of Food Banks and charities are definitely the losers this Christmas. This is at a time when food banks also report they are running low on food.
"It is ironic that the Labour Government, which counts on the vote of working families, has turned its back on them for two years. Instead of supporting those struggling families, this Government has created a culture where it is easier and more rewarding to be a beneficiary," Dr Muriel Newman said.
For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.