3000 More Young Kiwis Go On The Dole
Bennett congratulates herself for letting 3000 more young Kiwis go on the dole
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett’s self congratulatory tone in Parliament on youth unemployment doesn’t match with the reality that 3000 more young Kiwis have gone on the dole since she announced her Job Ops scheme, says Labour’s Youth Affairs spokesperson Jacinda Ardern.
“The number of young Kiwis joining her schemes has been far outstripped by those being forced on the dole. In September 19,845 young Kiwis (16-24yrs) were on the unemployment benefit,“ Jacinda Ardern said.
“That’s an additional 3000 young Kiwis on the dole since she announced the scheme. That’s before we factor in the young people who can’t find work but aren’t eligible for the unemployment benefit.”
Jacinda Ardern says instead of focussing on getting herself a positive headline, Paula Bennett should focus on getting young people into work.
“Young New Zealanders are massively over-represented in the number of Kiwis currently on the unemployment benefit. They make up nearly a third of New Zealanders on the dole,” Jacinda Ardern said.
“What is plain is that National’s efforts to date to tackle youth unemployment are not making enough of a difference. The Minister may claim jobs have been created but the action and urgency to turn around a massive tide of youth unemployment is still lacking.”
ENDS