Minister Contradicted By Own Ministry

"The Minister for Social Development, David Benson-Pope, has been
contradicted yet again," Lindsay Mitchell, welfare commentator said today.
"Unfortunately, this time, by his own Ministry."

"Earlier this week the Minister told the public, 'The government is well on its
way to achieving the goal with the Mayors' Task Force for Jobs. That is, to
have all 15-19 year-olds in work, education, training or other activities that
will contribute to their economic independence and well-being by the end of
this year.' "

"I questioned this statement because while the Minister was saying only
1,424 youth are now on the unemployment benefit, Statistics New Zealand
claim 27,800 15-19 year-olds are unemployed."

"Today his Ministry has published its Statement of Intent 2007/2008, which
shows that the estimated percentage of 15-19 year-olds not in formal
education, training, work or looking after children is 6.6% - around 20,000 -
and the trend is described as 'steady'."

"The Ministry did not describe the trend as 'decreasing' putting them at odds
with their Minister. It would appear that the Ministry is dealing with facts but
the Minister, fiction. Pretending 20,000 youths going nowhere don't exist
helps nobody."

ends

© Scoop Media